Integrating genetic, cognitive and psychosocial predictors of alcohol use in Asian Americans

Genetic and environmental factors each account for substantial variance in the risk for alcohol use and alcohol dependence. The two genes with the strongest associations with alcohol use and dependence are ALDH2 and ADH1B, which encode the major enzymes involved in alcohol metabolism. Functional polymorphisms that are prevalent in northeast Asian populations (ALDH2*2 and ADH1B*2 ) are implicated in alcohol sensitivity and are protective against the risk for alcohol dependence. Although genetic variants and psychosocial factors are demonstrated to influence drinking behavior in Asian populations, few studies have integrated these perspectives. The current studies evaluated genetic, cognitive and psychosocial correlates of alcohol use in Asian-American young adults. Paper I reviews epidemiological research on alcohol use and related disorders in Asian populations and presents a study examining the joint effects of ethnicity and acculturation on drinking behavior. Paper II reviews associations of ALDH2 and ADH1B genotypes with drinking behavior and presents a study evaluating the influence of these genes on indicators of alcohol involvement. Paper III discusses the goal of integrating genetic and learning theories of alcohol use and presents a study integrating ALDH2, ADH1B and alcohol expectancies as predictors of alcohol use. Paper IV discusses recent findings on genetic aspects of alcohol use and presents a prospective study evaluating drinking motives as a mediator of the association of ALDH2 and drinking behavior. The results extend previous findings concerning genetic influences on alcohol-related learning and suggest the importance of developing biopsychosocial models of drinking behavior in Asian Americans.