Imaging Implicit Alcohol Associations on Indirect Tests of Associations

描述(由申请者提供)：这个项目试图通过对新兴成年人的酒精相关记忆联想的成像(FMRI)来了解参与内隐联想过程的神经底物。受强化的物质使用经验影响的复杂的联想学习和记忆过程会导致神经生物学后果，包括与动机相关的联想记忆的加强，这反过来又会影响随后的使用试验，并过渡到大量、有问题或习惯性的使用。这些与酒精相关的关联效应已被证明与使用水平一致相关并可预测，但尚未从经验上与可能的神经底物联系起来。基础科学研究中的联想记忆概念的应用表明，一个人在任何时刻的行为主要由记忆中当前的激活模式决定，激活通常主要是一个内隐的或相对自动的过程。为了观察与酒精相关的联想效应的神经活动的差异，拟议的项目将涉及危险/重度酒精使用者和轻度酒精使用者在内隐记忆和认知的验证测试(线索-行为-结果联想任务和酒精相关-内隐联想测试，IATS)上的比较。此外，几个受试者内部的比较将提供与记忆关联的神经激活相关的信息：a)关于相容和不相容的IATS试验，以帮助确定IAT效应的神经相关性；以及b)关于线索-行为-结果(CBO)关联任务的与酒精相关的线索试验和非与酒精相关的线索试验。这项拟议的工作是第一个在间接联想测试中研究不同饮酒经历的年轻人神经活动差异的项目。对酒精相关联系的间接评估植根于联想学习原则，联想强度是信息处理的关键决定因素，表现为影响行为的记忆偏差。通过在这些间接联想测试中的表现，引发与酒精相关的联想记忆的激活，有可能增加我们对影响物质使用行为的联想结构中的个体差异的理解。拟议的功能磁共振成像项目将补充和扩展通过行为测量得出的结果，增加我们对内隐过程及其对成瘾行为的调节影响的理解。上瘾是一种渐进的、复发的情况，一旦形成，如果没有持续的干预，就很难戒除。如果了解这些研究不足但有影响的隐含过程所涉及的神经机制有助于扩大我们对影响持续酗酒的影响的知识，那么这项工作确实意义重大，有可能为预防和治疗工作提供信息。 公共卫生相关性：该项目试图通过成像与酒精相关的隐性关联来了解参与隐性联想过程的神经底物，这些关联已被证明与酒精使用水平一致相关并预测酒精使用水平。为了观察酒精相关联想效应的神经活动的差异，拟议的项目将涉及危险酒精使用者和轻度酒精使用者在内隐记忆和认知的验证测试(线索-行为-结果关联任务和酒精相关-内隐联想测试，IATS)的受试者之间的比较。通过在这些间接联想测试中的表现，引发与酒精相关的联想记忆的激活，有可能增加我们对影响酒精和其他物质使用行为的联想结构中的个体差异的理解。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This project seeks to understand the neural substrates involved in implicit associative processes through the imaging (fMRI) of alcohol-relevant memory associations in emerging adults. Complex associative learning and memory processes influenced by reinforced substance use experiences result in neurobiological consequences that include the strengthening of motivationally-relevant associative memories, which, in turn, affect subsequent use trials and transition to heavy, problematic, or habitual use. These alcohol-related associative effects have been shown to consistently correlate with and predict level of use but have not yet been empirically linked to likely neural substrates. The application of associative memory concepts from basic science research suggests that one's behavior at any moment is governed primarily by the current pattern of activation in memory, and that activation is often primarily an implicit or relatively automatic process. To observe differences in neural activity of alcohol- relevant associative effects, the proposed project will involve a between subjects comparison of hazardous/heavy alcohol users and light alcohol users on validated tests of implicit memory and cognition (a cue-behavior-outcome association task and alcohol-related-Implicit Association Tests, IATs). In addition, several within subjects comparisons will provide information relevant to the neural activation of memory associations: a) on compatible and incompatible trials of the IATs to help determine neural correlates of the IAT effect; and b) on alcohol-related cue trials and non-alcohol-related cue trials on the cue-behavior-outcome (CBO) association task. The proposed work is the first project to study differences in neural activity among young adults with different alcohol experiences on indirect tests of association. Indirect assessments of alcohol-relevant associations are rooted in associative learning principles, with associative strength being a key determinant of information processing expressed as memory biases that influence behavior. By eliciting activation of associative alcohol-relevant memories through performance on these indirect tests of association, it is possible to increase our understanding of individual differences in associative structures that influence substance use behavior. The proposed fMRI project will complement and extend findings derived through behavioral measures, increasing our understanding of implicit processes and their regulatory influence on addictive behaviors. Addiction is a progressive, relapsing condition and once established, it is difficult to overcome without continual intervention. If understanding the neural mechanisms involved in these under-studied but influential implicit processes helps to expand our knowledge of influences affecting continued alcohol abuse, then this work is indeed significant and has the potential to inform prevention and treatment efforts. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: This project seeks to understand the neural substrates involved in implicit associative processes through the imaging of alcohol-relevant implicit associations that have been shown to consistently correlate with and predict levels of alcohol use. To observe differences in neural activity of alcohol-relevant associative effects, the proposed project will involve a between subjects comparison of hazardous alcohol users and light alcohol users on validated tests of implicit memory and cognition (a cue-behavior-outcome association task and alcohol-related-Implicit Association Tests, IATs). By eliciting activation of associative alcohol-relevant memories through performance on these indirect tests of association, it is possible to increase our understanding of individual differences in associative structures that influence alcohol and other substance use behavior.