title: Genetic and environmental interplay in risky drinking in adolescents: a literature review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to review recent research on the interplay between genes, environment and epigenetic factors in risky drinking in adolescents and the impact of neurobiological determinants on early alcohol-related cognitive deficits in young people.
  
  
  METHODS
  Narrative review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There is consensus that the brain and the behaviour are shaped during development by the combined effects of genes, childhood experiences, environment and hormonal variations. Epigenetic factors seem to play a role in linking the expression of genes with stress and external experiences during brain maturation and development. Evidence on the interaction between genes and environmental factors illustrates that, in adolescence, external factors play a more important role than genetic factors on the risk of developing alcohol problems later on in life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adolescence is a crucial stage of brain development; intervening early and applying certain prevention programmes may halt the progression of alcohol misuse.
authors.affiliation: Corresponding author: irene.guerrini@slam.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Guerrini
authors.forename: Giorgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Quadri
authors.forename: Allan D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Thomson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000235:genetics*; D020268:Alcohol-Induced Disorders, Nervous System / Q000235:genetics*; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D057890:Epigenomics; D059647:Gene-Environment Interaction; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors