Our HMR analysis also showed a significant positive correlation between novel P3 latency and self-reported alcohol use. Specifically, delayed novel P3 latency was associated with drinking patterns and problems measured with Mm-MAST. This result, consistent with previous studies suggesting delayed P3 to novel sounds in chronic alcoholics (Biggins et al., 1995), is consistent with the hypothesis that novel P3 latency mainly reflects the effects of ethanol, instead of inherited predisposition. Here, also, our analyses tentatively suggest that genetic factors influence the association between excessive adolescent alcohol use and delayed P3 to novel sounds.
