A Combination of Impulsivity Subdomains Predict Alcohol Intoxication Frequency

Abstract

Intoxication frequency, but not consumption frequency, was characterized by a number of impulsivity subdomains.

Inhibitory‐control event‐related potentials correlate with individual differences in alcohol use

“…Model 3, the non‐ERP impulsivity‐only model, statistically predicted alcohol use, as similarly demonstrated with drunkenness as the outcome variable in a different, nonoverlapping sample . Trait‐impulsivity measures, including BIS‐11 Nonplanning and Attentional (but not Motor) subscales were among the strongest statistical predictors of intoxication frequency . Here, Nonplanning and Motor (but not Attentional) subscales were the strongest statistical predictors of alcohol use.…”

“…For example, heavy drinkers were categorized by number of monthly alcohol units over a month (greater or equal to 6 units and greater than or equal to 9 drinking days) and number of standard drinks over a month (eg, greater than or equal to 10 drinks). Cut‐off scores may not always be ideal for group dichotomization, and therefore we tested the correlation with AUDIT scores. Third, previous ERP studies on alcohol use have typically focused on ERPs during successful stop trials .…”

“…However, SSRT deficits are not always observed when comparing nondependent alcohol users with controls. Sanchez‐Roige et al and Moreno et al found comparable SSRT performances for binge drinkers and non–binge drinkers, and SSRT was not significantly associated with alcohol‐intoxication frequency . In contrast, differences in brain activity related to response inhibition have been observed in young‐adult drinkers, even in the absence of behavioral differences .…”

“…Steeper‐delay discounting (ie, choosing smaller, immediate rewards over larger delayed rewards) was linked to higher drinking levels in adolescent and student samples, but other studies found no such association . Cognitive impulsivity is also relevant to alcohol use: poorer sustained attention predicted intoxication frequency in a student sample . Therefore, further examination of how different subdivisions of self‐report impulsive traits are related to alcohol use is warranted.…”

“…Combining various facets of impulsivity, including neuroimaging data, can effectively predict current and future alcohol misuse (eg, study by Whelan et al). Furthermore, impulsivity measures alone can statistically predict alcohol‐intoxication frequency in student drinkers, although this association was improved when other risk factors (eg, demographics personality, smoking, and reward sensitivity) were incorporated …”