Clinical and Social/Environmental Characteristics in a Community Sample of Children With and Without Family Histories of Substance Use Disorder in the San Antonio Area: A Descriptive Study

Wijtenburg

Rowland

et al. 2014

Human Brain Mapping

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Individuals with a family history of substance use disorders (FH+) are at a greater risk of developing substance use disorders than their peers with no such family histories (FH−) and this vulnerability is proportional to the number of affected relatives (FH density). The risk for developing substance use disorders peaks during adolescence to early adulthood in the general population, and that is thought to be related to delayed maturation of frontocortical and frontostriatal functional circuits. We hypothesized that FH+ youth and young adults have impaired myelination of frontocortical and frontostriatal white matter tracts. We examined fractional anisotropy (FA) data in 80 FH+ and 34 FH− youths (12.9±1.0 years) and in 25 FH+ and 30 FH− young adults (24.3±3.4 years). FH+ youths had lower FA values in both frontocortical and frontostriatal tracts as well as parietocortical tracts including the anterior, superior and posterior corona radiata and the superior frontal-occipital fasciculus. Moreover, FA values in these tracts were negatively correlated with FH density. FH+ adults had lower FA values in two frontocortical tracts: the genu of the corpus callosum and anterior corona radiata and also significant negative correlations between FA and FH density in these same tracts. In both groups, lower FA values corresponded to higher radial diffusivity suggesting reduced axonal myelination. We interpreted our findings as evidence for impaired myelination of frontal white matter that was proportional to FH density. Our data suggest that deficits may partially resolve with age, paralleling an age-related decline in risk for developing substance use disorders.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of whole brain white matter integrity in youths and young adults with a family history of substance‐use disorders

Wijtenburg

Rowland

et al. 2014

Human Brain Mapping

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“…Seventy two FH+ and 32 FH− youths (10 to 14 years old, average age= 12.9±1.0) were recruited from a cohort of 386 volunteers in an ongoing longitudinal study on adolescent development and substance use involvement (Ryan et al, Under Review). Exclusion criteria included: regular substance use (defined as substance use at least once per month for 6 consecutive months; Clark et al, 2005), positive urine test at time of screening, low IQ (< 70), or physical/developmental disabilities that would interfere with the ability to understand or complete study requirements.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increased Forebrain Activations in Youths with Family Histories of Alcohol and Other Substance Use Disorders Performing a Go/NoGo Task

Alcoholism Clin & Exp Res

Tagamets

Rowland

et al. 2014

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Background-Youths with a family history of alcohol and other drug use disorders (FH+) are at a greater risk of developing substance use disorders than their peers with no such family histories (FH−), and this increased risk may be related to impaired maturation of forebrain circuitry. FH+ individuals have shown altered forebrain activity at rest and while performing cognitive tasks. However, it is not fully understood how forebrain activity is altered in FH+ individuals and ultimately how these alterations may contribute to substance use disorder risk.

“…Details about the sample characteristics of the larger study are described elsewhere (Ryan et al, 2016). Briefly, it should be noted that the larger study has equal numbers of boys and girls enrolled and that the sample is majority Hispanic, reflecting the demographics of the local area.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preadolescent sensation seeking and early adolescent stress relate to at-risk adolescents' substance use by age 15

Charles

Mathias

et al. 2017

Addictive Behaviors

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Background and aims Substance use during adolescence can lead to the development of substance use disorders and other psychosocial problems. These negative outcomes are especially likely for individuals who use substances at earlier ages and those who engage in heavier use during adolescence, behaviors which are both more common among youth at higher risk for developing a substance use disorder, such as those with a family history of substance use disorders (FH +). Factors such as increased sensation seeking and greater exposure to stressors among FH + youth may influence these associations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the relative and unique contributions of sensation seeking during preadolescence and exposure to stressors during early to mid-adolescence to cumulative substance use by mid-adolescence among FH + youth. Methods A total of 167 mostly Hispanic FH + youth (ages 12–15) who were participating in an ongoing longitudinal study were included in these analyses. Participants’ data from biennial waves covering approximately 2.5 years were used. Self-reported sensation seeking, exposure to stressors, and substance use were compared. Results Higher sensation seeking during preadolescence and greater exposure to stressors during early to mid-adolescence were both associated with substance use by age 15. These factors differentiated Substance Users from Non-Users, and also related to level of substance use. Conclusions Elevated sensation seeking and exposure to stressors are both associated with substance use by age 15 among high-risk youth. Additionally, these factors can distinguish youth who develop heavier substance use during this important developmental period.