The prevalence of alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence among different ethnic groups varies widely. Certain tribes of Native Americans have very high rates of alcoholism and other alcohol related disease when compared to Whites, African American, and Asian American samples. Individuals of Hispanic descent, while heterogeneous, represent a group at intermediate risk for the development of alcoholism with rates higher than Euroamericans but less than Native Americans. These ethnic differences in rates of alcoholism are thought to reflect a combination of sociocultural and biological factors. Within the biological realm, few studies have evaluated whether ethnic and/or racial differences exist in physiological markers of alcoholism risk in Hispanics. Recent data do suggest that there is genetic diversity in biologic sensitivity to alcohol among other ethnic groups. The source of differences in alcohol sensititivity results, in part, from genetic differences in metabolic factors, i.e., polymorphisms of the genes that regulate alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) as well as differences in CNS responses to alcohol.

The overall objective of the proposed studies is to study risk factors for the development of alcoholism in Hispanic Americans residing in San Diego County. Hispanic people are the largest minority population in the county (24%), yet the etiology of alcohol problems in this population, as well as Hispanics in the United States in general, remain relatively unexplored. Our preliminary studies in Hispanics will be extended in order to determine whether specific risk factors might be present in young adults. A follow-up study of the young adults will also be planned and initiated in order to determine if factors identified at the initial interview are predictive of the further development of alcohol-related life problems.

The overall goals of this program will be accomplished thought the following specific aims:

1. To recruit participants of Mexican-American descent, male and female 18-30 years of age (young adults who have begun drinking, but have not developed alcohol dependence). Each subject will be assessed with an age-appropriate psychiatric diagnostic interview, the semi-structured assessment of the genetics of alcoholism (SSAGA) and psychosocial and cultural data will be collected using additional instruments. Blood samples will be collected for the SDH genotyping. A new battery to assess risk for allostatic load will be implemented.

2. To begin to follow-up previously studied groups of subjects (young adult FHP
FHNs) to determine if they have developed changes in alcohol drinking
Patterns and/or alcohol-related problems.

Questions and hypotheses to be tested: Why are Mexican Americans at higher risk for alcoholism? How does gender influence the development of drinking patterns in Mexican Americans? A longitudinal study design combined with an additive risk and protective factor model will be used to address these questions. Potential protective factors are: ADH2 genotype, religiosity and cultural identity. Potential risk factors are: first (and possibly second) degree family history of alcohol dependence, degree of allostatic load, prior conduct problems, other externalizing symptoms and diagnoses, internalizing symptoms and diagnoses, poverty, life stress, and a sensation seeking orientation.

These studies have the potential to determine whether Mexican Americans have any specific biological, psychosocial or behavioral factors that may help to explain their higher risk for alcoholism. The identification of such variables may potentially be useful in the development of specific prevention and treatment programs for this population as well as other Hispanic populations.