Volumetric differences in the anterior cingulate cortex prospectively predict alcohol-related problems in adolescence

Cheetham, Ali; Allen, Nicholas B.; Whittle, Sarah; Simmons, Julian G; Yücel, Murat; Lubman, Dan I.

doi:10.1007/s00213-014-3483-8

Cited by 78 publications

(68 citation statements)

References 77 publications

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“…In support of this, a recent longitudinal study reported that smaller amygdala volumes were associated with higher self-reported negative affectivity at baseline and more subsequent alcohol-related problems (Cheetham et al, 2014). Smaller amygdala volumes may contribute to alcoholism risk via increased externalizing symptoms, such as impulsivity (Benegal et al, 2007;Tessner and Hill, 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

Shared Genetic Factors Influence Amygdala Volumes and Risk for Alcoholism

Dager

McKay

Kent

et al. 2014

Neuropsychopharmacol

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Alcohol abuse and dependence (alcohol use disorders, AUDs) are associated with brain shrinkage. Subcortical structures including the amygdala, hippocampus, ventral striatum, dorsal striatum, and thalamus subserve reward functioning and may be particularly vulnerable to alcohol-related damage. These structures may also show pre-existing deficits impacting the development and maintenance of AUD. It remains unclear whether there are common genetic features underlying both subcortical volumes and AUD. In this study, structural brain images were acquired from 872 Mexican-American individuals from extended pedigrees. Subcortical volumes were obtained using FreeSurfer, and quantitative genetic analyses were performed in SOLAR. We hypothesized the following: (1) reduced subcortical volumes in individuals with lifetime AUD relative to unrelated controls; (2) reduced subcortical volumes in individuals with current relative to past AUD; (3) in non-AUD individuals, reduced subcortical volumes in those with a family history of AUD compared to those without; and (4) evidence for common genetic underpinnings (pleiotropy) between AUD risk and subcortical volumes. Results showed that individuals with lifetime AUD showed larger ventricular and smaller amygdala volumes compared to non-AUD individuals. For the amygdala, there were no differences in volume between current vs past AUD, and non-AUD individuals with a family history of AUD demonstrated reductions compared to those with no such family history. Finally, amygdala volume was genetically correlated with the risk for AUD. Together, these results suggest that reduced amygdala volume reflects a pre-existing difference rather than alcohol-induced neurotoxic damage. Our genetic correlation analysis provides evidence for a common genetic factor underlying both reduced amygdala volumes and AUD risk.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

Shared Genetic Factors Influence Amygdala Volumes and Risk for Alcoholism

Dager

McKay

Kent

et al. 2014

Neuropsychopharmacol

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“…To date, this literature has identified a range of predictors of early substance use and SUD that are also associated with the development of mental health disorders, including (but not limited to) individual variation in temperament (e.g. [4]), externalizing symptoms (e.g. [5]) and family history of substance use and other mental disorders (e.g.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[6]). However, these studies have often been unable to examine trajectories associated with the early use of specific substances or the development of distinct SUDs [4,5], and have often relied upon samples recruited from families with a history of substance dependence [6]. As such, there are limited data on risk factors for the development of specific SUD/mental health comorbidity in nonclinical samples.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While the mechanisms that underlie these associations are not fully understood, and are likely to relate to individual, family and social factors, there are increasing concerns that substance use during early adolescence might impact brain development adversely [13,14]. 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]).…”

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confidence: 99%

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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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“…We read with interest the recent article by Cheetham et al (2014) examining brain structure of adolescents and the potential relationship with developing problematic drinking behavior. The data seem to indicate that anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) volume predicts the development of alcohol-related problems.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Drinking and the brain: careful selection of research participants required

Avegno

Hart

2014

Psychopharmacology

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. We read with interest the recent article by Cheetham et al. (2014) examining brain structure of adolescents and the potential relationship with developing problematic drinking behavior. The data seem to indicate that anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) volume predicts the development of alcohol-related problems. The authors should be commended for conducting a longitudinal study in order to investigate this timely and important research question. And while there are multiple merits associated with this well-conducted study, we felt a few concerns warrant further attention.First, the study did not include nondrinkers, making it impossible to determine whether ACC volume predicts problematic drinking behavior in all adolescents. If nondrinkers were included in the analysis and the findings held up, then our confidence in the conclusions drawn would be substantially increased. Second, given the far-reaching implications of the conclusions put forth by the authors, the significant difference in marijuana use between the groups, even though acknowledged by the authors, hampers our ability to meaningfully interpret these results. Marijuana users have been shown to be more impulsive (Solowij et al. 2012) and to display altered ACC activity (Gruber et al. 2012; for review, see Lisdahl et al. 2013). Therefore, in order to accept the conclusions stated by the current authors, a more careful selection of research participants would be required. Conflicts of interestThe authors do not report any conflicts of interest. ReferencesCheetham A, Allen NB, Whittle S, Simmons J, Yücel M, Lubman DI (2014) Volumetric differences in the anterior cingulate cortex prospectively predict alcohol-related problems in adolescence. Psychopharmacology.

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Volumetric differences in the anterior cingulate cortex prospectively predict alcohol-related problems in adolescence

Cited by 78 publications

References 77 publications

Shared Genetic Factors Influence Amygdala Volumes and Risk for Alcoholism

Shared Genetic Factors Influence Amygdala Volumes and Risk for Alcoholism

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

Drinking and the brain: careful selection of research participants required

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