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The issue of adolescent substance use is a pressing concern, as early engagement with substances often leads to long-term addiction and various related disorders. A recent study published in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging by Elsevier sheds light on the brain mechanisms that contribute to the initiation and frequency of substance use during adolescence, providing critical insights for timely interventions and prevention strategies.
Lead researcher Jungmeen Kim-Spoon, PhD, from the Department of Psychology and School of Neuroscience at Virginia Tech, emphasizes the gravity of early substance use. “Initiating substance use at a young age can lead to serious long-term challenges involving relationships, work, and overall life satisfaction. Understanding when adolescents are at high risk for substance use can enhance our prevention strategies and help guide individuals away from these potential issues,” she states.
This longitudinal study tracked brain connectivity changes in a group of 91 adolescents over a seven-year period, from the age of 14 to 21, focusing on those who had not previously engaged in substance use. Researchers aimed to identify neural indicators that could foresee substance use initiation and its frequency. They utilized functional connectivity assessments during a cognitive control task, known as the Multi-Source Interference Task (MSIT), alongside questionnaires to gather data on substance use habits.
Results demonstrated that variations in brain connectivity associated with cognitive control could predict the likelihood of adolescents starting to use substances, while cognitive control behaviors themselves were not predictive.
Tae-Ho Lee, PhD, a co-investigator from the same department, provides further insight into the findings. “Our research indicates that the recruitment of the salience network—specifically areas like the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and anterior insula (aINS)—during cognitive control tasks can serve as markers for predicting future substance use among adolescents before any actual substance usage begins,” he explains.
Ya-Yun Chen, MS, another co-investigator, highlights notable specifics regarding brain connectivity. “In particular, a stronger connection between the dACC and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex correlated with a delayed onset of substance use. However, we observed a significant decrease in this connectivity one year prior to the onset of use. Conversely, reduced connectivity of the dACC with the supplementary motor area, coupled with increased connectivity of the aINS with the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex and angular gyrus, was associated with higher levels of future substance use,” she notes.
Cameron S. Carter, MD, Editor-in-Chief of the journal, points out the broader implications of the study. “Adolescence is a critical time for risk-taking behaviors, often leading to increased substance use. Recent national surveys show that around 68% of individuals aged 12 to 17 in the U.S. initiated substance use within the past year. Thus, recognizing neurodevelopmental factors that contribute to early and heavy substance use during this period is essential. This study opens the door for innovative early intervention and prevention measures,” he remarks.
Dr. Kim-Spoon concludes with a call to action: “Our findings underscore the essential nature of cognitive control-related neural connectivity in predicting and understanding the patterns of substance use among adolescents. By focusing on enhancing the cognitive control mechanisms in the brain during early adolescence, we may provide a protective buffer against the escalation into problematic substance use. Additionally, interventions designed for adolescents who are already engaging in substance use could prove more effective by addressing interoceptive processes within cognitive control training.”
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