Neurobiological foundations of the formation of behavior and use of psychoactive substances among adolescents (literature review)

Abstract

Introduction. Adolescence is a critical period over ontogenesis. The complex and heterochronous maturation of various brain structures under the influence of several biologically active substances such as neurotransmitters and hormones, determines the peak of the implementation of risky behavior, including those that promote the gain in the risk of psychoactive substances used by adolescents. At the same time, the variability of behaviour and the degree of risk of use in adolescence is strictly individual and depends on genetic factors. In this regard, the accumulated experience of research on the study of the relationship between neurobiology and genetics in the aspect of the implementation of mental behavioral risk factors becomes relevant. The analysis of scientific literature for the period from 2009 to 2021 in the scientometric databases WoS, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, RSCI was carried out. 59 scientific reports were selected for a systematic review. Modern molecular genetic studies often reveal connections between a specific gene and a wide range of mental brain functions related to different levels of individuality. In the scientific literature, this is explained by the fact that a significant part of the genes is expressed in most brain structures and can be included in various neural systems that provide mental activity. Many gene polymorphisms are established to determine the neurobiology of maturation of the main structures of the brain, which indirectly determines the behavioral risks and risks of substance use over adolescence. Conclusion. Individual genetic polymorphisms affect multidimensional and heterogeneous behavior and character traits, based on neurobiological processes. The study of the effect of gene polymorphism on brain function is highly relevant and promising for research in this area.