Triple network dynamics and future alcohol consumption in adolescents

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Adolescent Development
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• Adolescent drinking is a significant public health concern.
• Previous neuroimaging studies focused on individual brain regions.
• Novel methods are needed to understand functional brain network dynamics related to future drinking behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between functional brain network dynamics and future drinking outcomes in adolescents.
• To apply a Hidden semi-Markov Model (HSMM) to resting-state fMRI data.
• To identify specific brain states associated with drinking predisposition.

Main Methods:

• Utilized resting-state fMRI data from 295 adolescents (age 17) from the NCANDA study.
• Applied HSMM to resting-state fMRI time series, focusing on the Triple Network (DMN, SN, CEN).
• Employed Poisson regression to analyze the association between brain state occupancy times and future drinking frequency/intensity, including sex differences.

Main Results:

• No overall sex differences in brain network dynamics were observed.
• The association between brain state occupancy and future drinking frequency varied by sex for three states.
• Extended occupancy in a state with high DMN/SN and low CEN activation correlated with lower future drinking in both sexes.

Conclusions:

• Functional brain network dynamics show promise as neural markers for predicting teen drinking predisposition.
• Distinct brain dynamics may confer vulnerability or resilience to alcohol use in adolescents, potentially differing between sexes.