Neuroscience 2005 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 772.18 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Frontal activation during stroop performance in adolescents at risk for substance abuse: an fMRI investigation. |
| Authors: |
Silveri, M. M.*1,2
; Rogowska, J.1,2
; Young, A. D.1
; Gruber, S. A.1,2
; Yurgelun-Todd, D. A.1,2
1Cognitive Neuroimaging and Neuropsychology Laboratory, McLean Hospital, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 2Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Cognition and Behavior - Human Cognition, Behavior, and Anatomy -- Cognitive development |
| Session: |
772. Cognitive Development II Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Tuesday, November 15, 2005 2:00 PM-3:00 PM |
| Location: | Washington Convention Center - Hall A-C, Board # PP3 |
| Keywords: | adolescence, family history, Stroop, frontal activation |
It has been shown that the frontal lobe undergoes marked structural and functional changes during adolescence. Previously, adolescents family history positive for substance abuse have been reported to show poorer performance on neuropsychological tests of frontal lobe function relative to family history negative counterparts. The objective of this study was to use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine activation of the prefrontal cortex in adolescents at risk for substance abuse. Twenty-four adolescents underwent fMRI while completing the Stroop test. Functional images were acquired for the whole brain on a 1.5 Tesla GE MRI scanner. Preprocessing and statistical analyses were conducted in SPM99. Subjects were stratified into low (family history negative (FH-), n=10) or high risk (FH+, n=14) for substance abuse, based on family history data. To test whether family history status was associated with distinct patterns of frontal activation, the FH- and FH+ groups were subjected to two contrasting subtraction analyses in SPM99. FH+ adolescents exhibited greater activation of the frontal gyrus than was observed in FH- adolescents (p<.01). Further, FH+ subjects also exhibited greater activation in the posterior cingulate (p < .05). These preliminary findings suggest a developmental disturbance in the activation of the prefrontal cortex during an executive functioning task in adolescents FH+ for substance abuse. Given the rapid maturational changes of the frontal networks during adolescence, abnormalities associated with the development of this region may hinder the capability to appropriately modulate response inhibition. Thus, it is possible that the observed widespread frontal activation during executive functioning may be a risk factor for the future development of substance abuse problems, even prior to the initiation of use.
Supported by Charles H. Hood Foundation
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2005 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2005. Online.
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