Alcohol use Is a significant behavioral cofactor for HIV transmission. The association of alcohol with sexual risk behavior appears especially strong among high-risk adolescents, including adjudicated adolescents, who are at particular risk due to high rates of alcohol use and comorbid psychiatric disorders. Theoretical models of sexual risk behavior rely almost exclusively on social-cognitive perspectives. Basic knowledge about biological influences on HIV risk behavior, including alcohol-related risk taking, is virtually non-existent. Externalizing behaviors in adolescence and young adulthood show a common genetic diathesis, suggesting common biological and/or temperamental influences. In particular, shared genetic risk for a spectrum of externalizing behaviors, including sexual behavior, is attributed to a highly heritable factor reflecting behavioral disinhibition. Recent research has linked specific genetic variants to cognitive, behavioral and neurobiological phenotypes associated with behavioral disinhibition and externalizing disorders. Given the importance of the mesolimbic dopamine system in reward-related behavior and risk-based decision-making, genes with implications for dopaminergic function are high-priority candidates. The goal of the proposed research is to evaluate genetic factors that may a) predict common risk for alcohol use, sexual risk behavior and other externalizing behaviors, and/or b) moderate the association of alcohol use and HIV risk behavior. This research will take place in the context of a prospective investigation of genetic and neurobiological correlates of alcohol and HIV risk-taking among adjudicated adolescents (R01AA017390-01). Analyses will examine genetic influences on alcohol use, HIV risk behaviors and externalizing behaviors using impulsivity/disinhibition as a plausible endophenotype. Specific hypotheses concerning the moderating effect of the DRD4 VNTR polymorphism on alcohol-related sexual risk behavior will be evaluated. This project, which responds to the need for integrative and translational methods in studies of alcohol and HiV risk, will contribute basic information about genetic factors and related behavioral characteristics that may place some individuals at elevated risk for HIV via the propensity for externalizing behaviors, including alcohol use.
| Otto, Jacqueline M; Hendershot, Christian S; Collins, Susan E et al. (2013) Association of the ALDH1A1*2 promoter polymorphism with alcohol phenotypes in young adults with or without ALDH2*2. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 37:164-9 |
| Hendershot, Christian S; Lindgren, Kristen P; Liang, Tiebing et al. (2012) COMT and ALDH2 polymorphisms moderate associations of implicit drinking motives with alcohol use. Addict Biol 17:192-201 |
| Hendershot, Christian S; Witkiewitz, Katie; George, William H et al. (2011) Relapse prevention for addictive behaviors. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 6:17 |
| Schmiege, Sarah J; Feldstein Ewing, Sarah W; Hendershot, Christian S et al. (2011) Positive outlook as a moderator of the effectiveness of an HIV/STI intervention with adolescents in detention. Health Educ Res 26:432-42 |
| Lindgren, Kristen P; Hendershot, Christian S; Neighbors, Clayton et al. (2011) Implicit Coping and Enhancement Motives Predict Unique Variance in Drinking in Asian Americans. Motiv Emot 35:435-443 |
| Hendershot, Christian S; Witkiewitz, Katie; George, William H et al. (2011) Evaluating a cognitive model of ALDH2 and drinking behavior. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 35:91-8 |
| Hendershot, C S (2011) Genetic testing for aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 deficiency in young adults. Pharmacogenomics J 11:247-50 |
| Hendershot, Christian S; Bryan, Angela D; Ewing, Sarah W Feldstein et al. (2011) Preliminary evidence for associations of CHRM2 with substance use and disinhibition in adolescence. J Abnorm Child Psychol 39:671-81 |
| Hendershot, Christian S; Otto, Jacqueline M; Collins, Susan E et al. (2010) Evaluation of a brief web-based genetic feedback intervention for reducing alcohol-related health risks associated with ALDH2. Ann Behav Med 40:77-88 |
| Hendershot, Christian S; Magnan, Renee E; Bryan, Angela D (2010) Associations of marijuana use and sex-related marijuana expectancies with HIV/STD risk behavior in high-risk adolescents. Psychol Addict Behav 24:404-14 |
