BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Evaluations of how a genetically influenced characteristic, such as the low level of response (a low LR) to alcohol, relates to later heavy drinking and alcohol problems usually include environmental contributors. The best way to understand how LR works in the context of these additional characteristics is to study the process prospectively, but such analyses tend to be complex and the papers are sometimes cluttered with jargon. This report attempts to offer a more straightforward description of the results from such a prospective model of how a lower LR at age 20 relates to alcohol outcomes at age 40. METHODS: A structural equation model of LR at age ∼20, outcomes of heavy drinking and problems at age ∼40, and additional characteristics at age ∼35 were tested in 378 men from the San Diego Prospective Study. RESULTS: The results support both direct effects of age-20 LR on age-40 heavy drinking and alcohol problems, as well as indirect effects of LR through characteristics of these men at age 35. The latter include using alcohol to cope with stress and heavier drinking among peers. CONCLUSIONS: A low LR to alcohol is an example of how both genes and environment can contribute to the risk for adverse alcohol outcomes. The identification of mechanisms through which LR impacts on later heavy drinking and problems can be approached in cross-sectional studies, but those may not be as sensitive as longitudinal models for identifying additional potential mediators of the LR-to-outcome relationship.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Evaluations of how a genetically influenced characteristic, such as the low level of response (a low LR) to alcohol, relates to later heavy drinking and alcohol problems usually include environmental contributors. The best way to understand how LR works in the context of these additional characteristics is to study the process prospectively, but such analyses tend to be complex and the papers are sometimes cluttered with jargon. This report attempts to offer a more straightforward description of the results from such a prospective model of how a lower LR at age 20 relates to alcohol outcomes at age 40. METHODS: A structural equation model of LR at age ∼20, outcomes of heavy drinking and problems at age ∼40, and additional characteristics at age ∼35 were tested in 378 men from the San Diego Prospective Study. RESULTS: The results support both direct effects of age-20 LR on age-40 heavy drinking and alcohol problems, as well as indirect effects of LR through characteristics of these men at age 35. The latter include using alcohol to cope with stress and heavier drinking among peers. CONCLUSIONS: A low LR to alcohol is an example of how both genes and environment can contribute to the risk for adverse alcohol outcomes. The identification of mechanisms through which LR impacts on later heavy drinking and problems can be approached in cross-sectional studies, but those may not be as sensitive as longitudinal models for identifying additional potential mediators of the LR-to-outcome relationship.
Authors: Marc A Schuckit; Tom L Smith; Jelger Kalmijn; Ryan S Trim; Erin Cesario; Gretchen Saunders; Courtney Sanchez; Nicole Campbell Journal: J Stud Alcohol Drugs Date: 2012-03 Impact factor: 2.582
Authors: Marc A Schuckit; Tom L Smith; Peyton Clausen; Kim Fromme; Jessica Skidmore; Alexandra Shafir; Jelger Kalmijn Journal: J Stud Alcohol Drugs Date: 2016-01 Impact factor: 2.582
Authors: Marc A Schuckit; Tom L Smith; George P Danko; Kathleen K Bucholz; Arpana Agrawal; Danielle M Dick; John I Nurnberger; John Kramer; Michie Hesselbrock; Gretchen Saunders; Victor Hesselbrock Journal: J Stud Alcohol Drugs Date: 2014-01 Impact factor: 2.582
Authors: Marc A Schuckit; Tom L Smith; Ryan S Trim; Samuel Kuperman; John Kramer; Victor Hesselbrock; Kathleen K Bucholz; John I Nurnberger; Michie Hesselbrock; Gretchen Saunders Journal: Drug Alcohol Rev Date: 2012-06-18