Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2025
05:12
Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder
Published on: June 23, 2023
870
Neurostructural features predict binge drinking in emerging adulthood: Evidence from a 5-year follow-up study
Jose Manuel Pérez-García1, Samuel Suárez-Suárez2, María Soledad Rodríguez González3
1Department of Educational Psychology and Psychobiology, Faculty of Education, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Logroño, Spain.
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|November 3, 2024
Summary
Brain structure in adolescence can predict binge drinking (BD) in young adulthood. Specific frontal and cingulate cortex surface areas are linked to future alcohol use patterns.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Addiction Research
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Binge drinking (BD) is a pattern of excessive alcohol consumption common in young adults.
- This behavior significantly impacts brain development and future drinking habits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if adolescent neurostructural features predict binge drinking (BD) episodes in young adulthood.
- To analyze the predictive value of brain region volumes, surface areas, and cortical thickness on future BD behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Prospective longitudinal study involving 68 university students.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data collected at ages 18-19.
- Zero-inflated negative binomial regression models used to analyze neurostructural predictors of BD at ages 23-24.
Main Results:
- Larger surface area in the right middle frontal gyrus predicted a higher incidence rate of BD episodes.
- Smaller surface area in the right caudal anterior cingulate cortex was associated with a higher incidence rate of BD episodes.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent neurostructural characteristics, specifically in the frontal and cingulate cortices, can predict binge drinking (BD) behaviors in young adulthood.
- Neuroimaging may serve as a tool to identify individuals at risk for problematic alcohol use.
Keywords:
AdolescenceBinge drinkingBrain structureEmerging adulthoodFollow-upProspective longitudinal studyMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:23Binge Eating Disorders
51
Binge eating disorder is a significant mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption within a short period, accompanied by a perceived loss of control over eating behavior. Unlike occasional overeating, binge eating disorder is marked by distressing emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety following binge episodes. The disorder affects individuals across different ages and backgrounds, with profound implications for physical and psychological...
51
01:27Emerging Adulthood
43
Jeffrey Arnett's concept of emerging adulthood offers a framework to understand the unique developmental stage between adolescence and full-fledged adulthood, generally from ages 18 to 25. This period is marked by extensive exploration and shifts in identity, relationships, and career choices, a process known in psychology as role experimentation. Emerging adulthood reflects the evolving cultural expectations surrounding adulthood and the dynamic process of personal transformation during...
43
01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
45
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
45
01:27CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
175
Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...
175