title: The influence of gene-environment interactions on the development of alcoholism and drug dependence.
abstract: Alcoholism and drug dependence are common psychiatric disorders with a heritability of about 50%; therefore genetic and environmental influences are equally important. Early-life stress is a predictor of adolescent problem drinking/drug use and alcohol/drug dependence in adulthood, but moderating factors governing the availability of alcohol/drug are important. The risk-resilience balance for addiction may be due in part to the interaction between genetic variation and environment stressors (G × E); this has been confirmed by twin studies of inferred genetic risk. Measured genotype studies to detect G × E effects have used a range of alcohol consumption and diagnostic phenotypes and stressors ranging from early-life to adulthood past year life events. In this article, the current state of the field is critically reviewed and suggestions are put forth for future research.
authors.affiliation: NIH/NIAAA/DICBR/LNG, 5625 Fishers Lane, Room 3S32, MSC 9412, Bethesda, MD 20892-9412, USA. maenoch@niaaa.nih.gov
authors.forename: Mary-Anne
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Enoch
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D059647:Gene-Environment Interaction; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000502:physiology; D008016:Life Change Events; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology