Amygdala-orbitofrontal functional connectivity mediates the relationship between sensation seeking and alcohol use among binge-drinking adults. (1st November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Crane, Natania A.; Gorka, Stephanie M.; Phan, K. Luan; Childs, Emma
• Is Part Of: Drug and alcohol dependence. Volume 192(2018)
• Page Start: 208
• Page End: 214
• Publication Date: 2018-11-01
• Subjects: Amygdala -- Alcohol -- fMRI -- Prefrontal cortex -- Resting State -- Personality; Drug abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.07.044
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0376-8716

Abstract

Highlights: We assessed resting state functional connectivity (FC) in adult binge drinkers. Low amygdala-orbitofrontal (OFC) FC was related to high weekly alcohol drinking. Low amygdala-OFC FC was related to high trait sensation seeking. Amygdala-OFC FC mediated the relationship between sensation seeking and drinking. Disrupted amygdala-OFC FC may be a neural risk marker for alcohol use. Abstract: Background: Decreased amygdala-orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) neural functional connectivity (FC) positively predicts alcohol use among adolescents. Low amygdala-OFC FC is also associated with poor emotion regulation, a trait robustly linked to alcohol use. Thus, decreased amygdala-OFC connectivity may represent a risk factor for the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD) via impaired emotion regulation or reward processing. In this study, we examined amygdala-OFC FC among young adult binge drinkers at high risk for AUD. We also tested if amygdala-OFC FC mediates the relationship between externalizing personality traits and alcohol use. Methods: Healthy male and female (n = 39) binge drinkers completed a resting state fMRI scan and the Eysenck Impulsive Personality questionnaire. We utilized seed-based connectivity of the left and right amygdala to prefrontal regions as well as mediation analysis. Results: Individuals with higher weekly alcohol use displayed decreased right amygdala-OFC FC. Furthermore, high trait venturesomeness, but not impulsivness, was associated with decreased right amygdala-OFC FC. Finally, right amygdala-OFC FC mediated the relationship between trait venturesomeness and weekly drinking; individuals with high trait venturesomeness displayed decreased right amygdala-OFC FC, which in turn predicted greater weekly drinking. Conclusions: Our findings corroborate and extend the adolescent literature by showing that decreased amygdala-OFC FC is associated with higher alcohol consumption among adults at elevated risk for AUD. This study also demonstrates for the first time that this neural profile reflects a tendency to sensation seeking. In sum, our findings suggest that amygdala-OFC FC may be an objective neural target for alcohol use prevention and intervention.