Associations of parent–adolescent closeness with P3 amplitude, frontal theta, and binge drinking among offspring with high risk for alcohol use disorder

Abstract

Background Parents impact their offspring's brain development, neurocognitive function, risk, and resilience for alcohol use disorder (AUD) via both genetic and socio‐environmental factors. Individuals with AUD and their unaffected children manifest low parietal P3 amplitude and low frontal theta (FT) power, reflecting heritable neurocognitive deficits associated with AUD. Likewise, children who experience poor parenting tend to have atypical brain development and greater rates of alcohol problems. Conversely, positive parenting can be protective and critical for normative development of self‐regulation, neurocognitive functioning and the neurobiological systems subserving them. Yet, the role of positive parenting in resiliency toward AUD is understudied and its association with neurocognitive functioning and behavioral vulnerability to AUD among high‐risk offspring is less known. Using data from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism prospective cohort (N = 1256, mean age [SD] = 19.25 [1.88]), we investigated the associations of closeness with mother and father during adolescence with offspring P3 amplitude, FT power, and binge drinking among high‐risk offspring. Methods Self‐reported closeness with mother and father between ages 12 and 17 and binge drinking were assessed using the Semi‐Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism. P3 amplitude and FT power were assessed in response to target stimuli using a Visual Oddball Task. Results Multivariate multiple regression analyses showed that closeness with father was associated with larger P3 amplitude (p = 0.002) and higher FT power (p = 0.01). Closeness with mother was associated with less binge drinking (p = 0.003). Among male offspring, closeness with father was associated with larger P3 amplitude, but among female offspring, closeness with mother was associated with less binge drinking. These associations remained statistically significant with father's and mothers' AUD symptoms, socioeconomic status, and offspring impulsivity in the model. Conclusions Among high‐risk offspring, closeness with parents during adolescence may promote resilience for developing AUD and related neurocognitive deficits albeit with important sex differences.

The collaborative study on the genetics of alcoholism: Brain function

“…Importantly, these associations remained significant beyond other relevant risk factors such as parental AUD, other substance use, income, education and offspring characteristics such as impulsivity. These findings suggest that close relationships with parents, during the critical period of adolescence, may mitigate the “neurodevelopmental lag” in individuals with heightened vulnerability to AUD and may contribute to more efficient neurocognitive functioning 33 …”

“…ERO: Frontal Theta to targets : Phenotypic findings : Low frontal theta ERO observed among individuals with AUD and high‐risk offspring 35,36 ; associated with impulsivity and externalizing traits 37–39 ; Parenting (i.e., closeness with father) was associated with higher frontal theta power; parental closeness promotes healthy brain function and resilience against the development of AUD in high‐risk offspring 33 Genetic Findings : Frontal theta ERO associated with CHRM2 and GRM8 (in linkage studies), 40,41 KCNJ6 and HTR7 (with GWAS studies) 42,43 ; age and sex specific influences are observed in the association of KCNJ6 variants and theta ERO trajectories 44 …”

“…Parenting has been found to impact offspring brain development, neurocognitive function, risk and resilience for AUD via both genetic and socio‐environmental factors. Using data from the COGA prospective cohort, COGA demonstrated that greater ‘closeness with father’ was associated with larger P300 amplitude and higher frontal theta power in offspring 33 . Also, ‘closeness with mother’ was associated with less binge drinking in offspring.…”

“…ERP: P300 amplitude to targets (Pz): Phenotypic findings : Low P300 observed among individuals with AUD and high‐risk offspring 32 ; parenting (i.e., closeness with father) was associated with increased P3; suggests that parental closeness may promote brain function, and resilience against development of AUD in high‐risk offspring. 33 Genetic Findings : Significant heritabilities for P300 using family data; P300 associated with CRHR1 and AUD. 34 …”

“…Phenotypic findings : Low P300 observed among individuals with AUD and high‐risk offspring 32 ; parenting (i.e., closeness with father) was associated with increased P3; suggests that parental closeness may promote brain function, and resilience against development of AUD in high‐risk offspring. 33 …”