Future studies, while avoiding the limitations of the present study, may further consider examining: (i) the oscillations underlying P3 component (e.g., delta and theta bands) along with ERP measures, (ii) the trajectories of reward-related P3 amplitude comparing the LR and HR subjects; (iii) longitudinal changes associated with P3 and ERO measures in HR offspring by analyzing the data on multiple assessments over a period of time, (iv) brain circuitries underlying reward/outcome processing in high risk individuals by using coherence/synchrony measures of electrophysiology and by using functional connectivity measures of neuroimaging, (v) externalizing disorders along with substance use disorders, (vi) new strategies to statistically or methodologically disentangle the underlying genetic risk (in those at high risk for alcoholism) from the manifested symptoms or characteristics (e.g., externalizing disorders) that may influence the phenotype (e.g., P3) under study, (vii) the utility of reward related ERP/ERO measures as endophenotypes in genetic studies, and (viii) a more systematic study with multiple measures of impulsivity and externalizing disorders in AUD and HR offspring to further elucidate the complex interactions among these factors.
