The Orbitofrontal Cortex, Drug Use and Impulsivity: Can Teenage Rebellion Be Predicted Through Neural Correlates?

Whelan, Robert; Weierstall, Karen; Garavan, Hugh

doi:10.2217/fnl.12.49

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Impulsivity is a complex construct that is believed to arise from a failure in inhibitory control mechanisms, and comprises multiple dimensions that have been strongly associated with various aspects of substance use [42] . Indeed, it has been proposed that the OFC may represent a neural substrate for substance misuse in adolescence due to its role in impulsive behaviour [1] . However, as the measure of effortful control used in the current study is more closely associated with disinhibition than impulsivity [43] , it may not have captured the aspects of impulsivity that could account for the association between right OFC volume and risk for SUD.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It has been proposed that orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) dysfunction represents a neural phenotypic marker of risk for substance misuse in adolescence [1] . Evidence supporting this hypothesis has come from a small number of studies examining the neurobiological correlates of early substance use in adolescent populations [2][3][4][5] , as well as from studies examining adults with a family history of alcoholism [6,7] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This study represents the analysis of data from a subsequent wave of assessment at age 18 from the same sample, with the aims of (i) determining whether volume reductions predict the more harmful patterns of use that typically emerge later in adolescence; and (ii) investigating whether the link between OFC volume reductions and substance use risk may be associated with temperamental effortful control. As the relationship between OFC dysfunction and risk is unlikely to be substance specific [1] , and in recognition of the high rates of comorbidity between different SUDs [18] , we broadened our previous focus from cannabis to include all substances. Specifically, we hypothesised that smaller OFC volumes at age 12 would predict lifetime history of SUD by age 18.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Orbitofrontal Cortex Volume and Effortful Control as Prospective Risk Factors for Substance Use Disorder in Adolescence

et al. 2016

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Background: Orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) dysfunction has been proposed to increase the risk for developing a substance use disorder (SUD) during adolescence. In this study, we suggest that a reduction in OFC volumes might underlie temperament-based risk factors for SUD, and examined whether smaller OFC volumes during early adolescence could predict later development of SUD. Methods and Materials: Adolescents (n = 107; 58 male, 49 female) underwent structural MRI and completed a self-report measure of temperamental effortful control at age 12. At 3 subsequent assessments (aged 15, 16, and 18) SUD was assessed via a semi-structured clinical interview. By the third assessment, 24 participants (22.4%) had received a lifetime diagnosis of SUD. Results: Smaller volumes of the left OFC, right OFC, and left medial subregions predicted lifetime history of SUD by age 18. Volumes of the left OFC and left lateral subregions were positively correlated with effortful control, and left OFC volumes mediated the relationship between effortful control and SUD. Conclusions: Smaller volumes of the OFC and low effortful control during adolescence appear to be associated phenotypes that increase the risk of subsequent SUD. Further studies examining the temporal sequence of these risk factors are needed to fully understand this relationship.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Orbitofrontal Cortex Volume and Effortful Control as Prospective Risk Factors for Substance Use Disorder in Adolescence

et al. 2016

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“…Early features of the OFC, then, may be potential biomarkers of risk for cannabis use onset, as has been argued by others (Whelan et al, 2012). Indeed, smaller OFC volumes in pre-teens predicted cannabis initiation four years later (Cheetham et al, 2012), and volumetric differences in OFC and other frontal regions predicted later problematic drinking and substance use disorder (SUD) (Cheetham et al, 2014(Cheetham et al, , 2017.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 81%

Orbitofrontal cortex volume prospectively predicts cannabis and other substance use onset in adolescents

et al. 2019

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Background: Identifying neural characteristics that predict cannabis initiation is important for prevention efforts. The orbitofrontal cortex is critical for reward response and may be vulnerable to substance-induced alterations. Aims: We measured orbitofrontal cortex thickness, surface area, and volume prior to the onset of use to predict cannabis involvement during an average nine-year follow-up. Methods: Adolescents ( n=118) aged 12–15 years completed baseline behavioral assessment and magnetic resonance imaging scans, then were followed up to 13 years with annual substance use interviews. Logistic regression examined baseline (pre-substance use) bilateral medial and lateral orbitofrontal cortex characteristics (volume, surface area, or cortex thickness) as predictors of regular cannabis use by follow-up. Post-hoc multinomial logistic regression assessed whether orbitofrontal cortex characteristics significantly predicted either alcohol use alone or cannabis+alcohol co-use. Brain-behavior relationships were assessed through follow-up correlations of baseline relationships between orbitofrontal cortex and executive functioning, reward responsiveness, and behavioral approach traits. Results: Larger left lateral orbitofrontal cortex volume predicted classification as cannabis user by follow-up ( p=0.025, odds ratio=1.808). Lateral orbitofrontal cortex volume also predicted cannabis+alcohol co-user status ( p=0.008, odds ratio=2.588), but not alcohol only status. Larger lateral orbitofrontal cortex volume positively correlated with greater baseline reward responsiveness ( p=0.030, r=0.348). There were no significant results by surface area or cortex thickness ( ps>0.05). Conclusions: Larger left lateral orbitofrontal cortex measured from ages 12–15 years and prior to initiation of substance use was related to greater reward responsiveness at baseline and predicted classification as a cannabis user and cannabis+alcohol co-user by final follow-up. Larger lateral orbitofrontal cortex volume may represent aberrant orbitofrontal cortex maturation and increasing vulnerability for later substance use.

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“…However, recent longitudinal studies have identified that some neuroanatomical differences pre-date early substance use [4,15], and may underlie traits that are associated with vulnerability to SUDs and related psychopathology (e.g. impulsivity [16]). Whether such individuals are more vulnerable to neuromaturational changes associated with ongoing use, thus increasing their risk further for the development of psychopathology, is yet to be determined.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Commentary on Salom et al. (2016): Early onset substance use—a key target for prevention and early intervention

Cheetham

Lubman

2015

Addiction

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The Orbitofrontal Cortex, Drug Use and Impulsivity: Can Teenage Rebellion Be Predicted Through Neural Correlates?

Cited by 4 publications

References 22 publications

Orbitofrontal Cortex Volume and Effortful Control as Prospective Risk Factors for Substance Use Disorder in Adolescence

Orbitofrontal Cortex Volume and Effortful Control as Prospective Risk Factors for Substance Use Disorder in Adolescence

Orbitofrontal cortex volume prospectively predicts cannabis and other substance use onset in adolescents

Commentary on Salom et al. (2016): Early onset substance use—a key target for prevention and early intervention

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