Alcoholism is a disinhibitory disorder: neurophysiological evidence from a Go/No-Go task

Abstract

Response inhibition is considered a core dimension in alcoholism and its co-existing disorders. The major objective of this study is to compare the magnitude and spatial distribution of ERP components during response activation and inhibition in alcoholics (N = 30) and normal controls (N = 30) using a visual Go/No-Go task. The results indicate that alcoholics manifest a decreased P3(00) amplitude during Go as well as No-Go conditions. The difference between Go and No-Go processing was more evident in controls than in alcoholics. The topography of current source density in alcoholics during the P3 response was found to be very different from that of normals, suggesting that alcoholics perhaps activated inappropriate brain circuitry during cognitive processing. The significantly reduced No-Go P3 along with the relatively less anteriorized CSD topography during No-Go condition suggests poor inhibitory control in alcoholics. It is proposed that the No-Go P3, the electrophysiological signature of response inhibition, can be considered as an endophenotypic marker in alcoholism.

Delta and theta oscillations as risk markers in adolescent offspring of alcoholics

“…Using go-nogo tasks several studies from our laboratory have shown P300, delta and theta power differences in alcoholics and high risk individuals (Kamarajan et al, 2004;Kamarajan et al, 2005a;Kamarajan et al, 2005b). In these studies the 'go' trials closely resemble the 'target' trial used in the present study.…”

“…In the Go condition, strong delta band total ERO deficits for alcoholics were observed over frontal, parietal and occipital locations; however, no theta band differences were noted in alcoholics when compared to the controls (Kamarajan et al, 2004). In the high-risk adult population the results for the same task revealed parietal delta and theta band total power reductions for the Go condition (Kamarajan et al, 2005a). The No-go condition also revealed strong delta and theta band ERO differences.…”

“…Previously published and ongoing studies from our group have examined theta and delta oscillations in adult populations (both alcohol dependent and high risk) for the standard visual oddball and go-nogo tasks (Jones et al, in preparation;Kamarajan et al, 2004;Kamarajan et al, 2005a;Kamarajan et al, 2005b). The results from those studies strongly support the present study that extends similar findings into HR adolescent population.…”

Stress and Alcohol Cues Exert Conjoint Effects on Go and Stop Signal Responding in Male Problem Drinkers

“…The GNG and SST discriminate between addicted individuals and controls, suggesting that these tasks may operationalize key addiction-related inhibitory deficits (Kamarajan et al, 2005;Lawrence et al, 2009). However, inhibitory performance is also sensitive to situational factors.…”

Event-Related Oscillations in Offspring of Alcoholics: Neurocognitive Disinhibition as a Risk for Alcoholism

“…Further, decreased NoGo-P3 amplitude has also been reported in alcoholics (Cohen et al 1997a;Kamarajan et al, 2005b) as well as in children of alcoholics (Cohen et al 1997b;Kamarajan et al, 2005a). There is a good deal of evidence that P3 responses are primarily the outcome of oscillatory changes in delta and theta rhythms during stimulus processing (Stampfer and Basar 1985;Basar-Eroglu et al 1991, 2001Roschke and Fell 1997;Devrim et al 1999;Demiralp et al 2001).…”