This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing theresources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject andinvestigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source,and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed isfor the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator.The number and variety of clinical symptoms noted in alcohol dependent individuals reflect a great deal of heterogeneity. Therefore, the use of diagnosis may not be optimal as a phenotypic descriptor in genetic studies of alcoholism. We propose to develop fundamental endophenotypes quantifying neurobiological and neurobehavioral characteristics associated with alcoholism. Based on the hypothesis that neural disinhibition is a central biologic feature in the development of alcoholism, we propose to use a novel set of neuroelectric features specifically designed to assess disinhibition in sib-pairs from family's with a high density of alcoholism.This applicationapplication; covers only the baseline neurophysiology data collection portion of complex, ongoing collaberative studies that involve a much broader range of the genetic determinants of the risk for alcoholism. Those studies include the Collaboration on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA), now in its 13th year of work and concentrating on the follow-up of subjects already tested at least five years ago, and the recently funded spin-off: the Indiana portion of a Interactive Research Program Grant. Other studies funded by these grants involve the collection and analysis of neurophysiological data collected before and after exposure to alcohol: those activities already have GCRC approval (GCRC# 903A).Yet other portions involve blood sampling for DNA, DNA analysis, genetic analysis of the entire database, and a substantial diagnostic interview process that require no interaction with the GCRC at all, and are not a part of this application.The recruiting cited criteria in this application are current, and include changes made since the original applications for funding were reviewed (and substantially reduced), and reflect subsequent changes agreed to by the Steering Committee of COGA.This application involves statistical analyses of the collection data to be performed by investigators at SUNY Sownstate, Brooklyn, New York, in collaboration with genetic analysts in Austin, Texas. Analyses are performed on data contributed by nine Neurophysiology Laboratories throughout the USA, all identically equipped, including the Neural System Labs located at the GCRC (including C-6130 at the VAMC) in Indianapolis.
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