Principal Investigator: Frances Wang, PhD 
Funding Source: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 

This study seeks to improve understanding of genetic influences underlying alcohol use disorder by clarifying the genetic influences underlying robust adolescent risk factors for this disorder (i.e., conduct problems, depression, and certain temperament traits). This study will harmonize data across four large datasets. Using this data, we will examine how adolescents’ symptoms of conduct problems and depression and dimensions of temperament are transmitted together in families to form novel and genetically-distinct traits. We will also examine how these traits influence subsequent problematic alcohol use outcomes in adulthood. The results from this study could help us identify teenagers who follow different pathways to alcohol use disorder and, therefore, who may require differing interventions to prevent this condition. 

To learn how to get involved in the study, or for more information, please email wangfl@upmc.edu.