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. 2014 Mar:97:43-8.
doi: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2014.01.005. Epub 2014 Feb 14.

Neural and genetic correlates of binge drinking among college women

Lance O Bauer  1 , Natalie A Ceballos  2
Affiliations

Neural and genetic correlates of binge drinking among college women

Lance O Bauer et al. Biol Psychol. 2014 Mar.

Abstract

Ninety-seven female students were assigned to groups consisting of 55 infrequent and 42 frequent binge drinkers. The groups were compared on self-report measures of impulsivity, sensation seeking, and alexithymia, as well as several measures relevant to neural and genetic mechanisms, such as brain activation during a time estimation task and selected genotypes. Analyses of stimulus-locked brain activity revealed a slow cortical potential over the right parietal cortex during time estimation that was more negative among frequent binge drinkers. This group also showed a greater prevalence of a CHRM2 genotype previously associated with substance dependence and Major Depressive Disorder as well as a modest elevation on a non-planning impulsiveness scale. We conclude that the enhanced brain activation shown by binge drinkers compensates for an underlying deficit. That deficit may be reflected in poor planning skills and a genetic difference indicating increased risk for problems in later life.

Keywords: Alcohol; Binge drinking; CHRM2; College students; Contingent negative variation; Electroencephalography; Evoked potential; Gene; Time.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Top: Group-averaged slow potential waveforms, spanning −100 to +1500 ms, sorted by group (solid line=infrequent binge drinking, dashed line=frequent binge drinking). The double-headed arrow indicates warning stimulus onset (SO). The horizontal axis is divided by ticks 100 ms apart. The emergence of the Slow Potential at the CP4 electrode is indicated by the other arrow.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Group-averaged motor potential waveforms, spanning −1000 to + 500 ms, sorted by group (solid line=infrequent binge drinking, dashed line=frequent binge drinking). The horizontal axis is marked by ticks 100 ms apart. The double-headed arrow indicates button press (BP) onset. The associated Motor Potential at FC4 is indicated by the other arrow.
Figure 3
Figure 3
sLORETA maps (aerial and right hemisphere views) of the probable generators of the SP (top) and MP (bottom). The color scale indicates current density.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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