A polygenic risk score is a measure of a person’s genetic vulnerability for a particular disorder. In this study we have used the polygenic risk score for alcohol use disorder, in combination with other characteristics such as sex and family history of alcohol problems, to see whether that might help identify young people who may need treatment to prevent drinking problems from getting worse. The polygenic risk score helped identify groups at risk, but we still need more research before applying it to individuals in a clinic.
Nurnberger JI, Jr., Wang Y, Zang Y, Lai D, Wetherill L, Edenberg HJ, Aliev F, Plawecki MH, Chorlian D, Chan G, Bucholz K, Bauer L, Kamarajan C, Salvatore JE, Kapoor M, Hesselbrock V, Dick D, Bierut L, McCutcheon V, Meyers JL, Porjesz B, Kramer J, Kuperman S, Kinreich S, Anokhin AP, Collaborative Study on the Genetics of A (2022) High Polygenic Risk Scores Are Associated With Early Age of Onset of Alcohol Use Disorder in Adolescents and Young Adults at Risk. Biological Psychiatry: Global Open Science, 2(4):379-388. PMID: 36324664; PMCID: PMC9616304; DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2021.10.007.
