Functional Connectivity in Youth at Risk for Alcoholism

描述（由申请人提供）：酒精使用障碍的家族史是青少年酒精滥用和依赖发展的公认风险因素。研究表明，AUD阳性家族史（FHP）与非滥用青少年的神经认知和电生理异常有关，这表明有发生后续AUD风险的青少年可能携带易感性神经标志物。AUD的脆弱性增加可能取决于这些认知特征的性质。使用结构方程模型（SEM）的对比模型的大脑激活的空间工作记忆任务，本研究提出了一个微妙的神经发育滞后，其特点是空间工作记忆的神经基板的长期发展，可以区分FHP（n=27）FH阴性（FHN）（n=38）的青年。功能连接分析可能有助于阐明FHP青年在复杂的认知任务中使用的改变系统的模式。重要的是，认知异常，传统上归因于大量饮酒，可能是由家族史的影响缓和。增加对这些神经认知成分的了解可能有助于揭示导致酒精依赖风险增加的因素。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): A family history of alcohol use disorders is a well-established risk factor for the development of adolescent alcohol abuse and dependence. Studies have linked a positive family history (FHP) of AUD to neurocognitive and electrophysiological abnormalities in non-abusing adolescents, suggesting that youth at risk for developing subsequent AUD may carry neural markers for predisposition. Increased vulnerability for AUD may depend upon the nature of these cognitive features. Using structural equation modeling (SEM) to contrast models of brain activation in response to a spatial working memory task, this study proposes that a subtle neurodevelopmental lag, as characterized by protracted development of the neural substrate of spatial working memory, may distinguish FHP (n=27) from FH negative (FHN) (n=38) youth. Functional connectivity analyses may help elucidate a pattern of altered systems employed in complex cognitive tasks in FHP youth. Importantly, cognitive abnormalities, traditionally ascribed to heavy drinking, may be moderated by family history effects. Increased understanding of these neurocognitive components may aid in uncovering factors that contribute to heightened risk for alcohol dependence.