title: Altered anterior cingulate neurochemistry in emerging adult binge drinkers with a history of alcohol-induced blackouts.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Binge alcohol consumption is associated with multiple neurobiological consequences, including altered neurophysiology, brain structure, and functional activation. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies have demonstrated neurochemical alterations in the frontal lobe of alcohol users, although most studies focused on older, alcohol-dependent subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, neurochemical data were acquired using MRS at 4.0 Tesla from emerging adults (18 to 24 years old) who were binge alcohol drinkers (BD, n = 23) or light drinkers (LD, n = 31). Since binge drinking is also associated with increased prevalence of experiencing an alcohol-induced blackout, BD were stratified into alcohol-induced blackout (BDBO) and non-blackout (BDN) groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, BD had significantly lower gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA) and N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) than LD. When stratified by blackout history, BDBO also had lower ACC glutamate (Glu) than LD. No group differences in MRS metabolites were observed in the parietal-occipital cortex. Lower ACC GABA and Glu remained significant after accounting for lower gray matter content in BD, however, NAA differences were no longer evident. In addition, low ACC GABA levels were associated with greater alcohol use consequences, and worse response inhibition and attention/mental flexibility in BD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data indicate that binge drinking affects frontal lobe neurochemistry, more so in those who had experienced an alcohol-induced blackout. Characterization of the neurochemical profiles associated with binge alcohol consumption and blackout history may help identify unique risk factors for the later manifestation of alcohol abuse and dependence, in young individuals who are heavy, frequent drinkers, but who do not meet the criteria for alcohol abuse disorders.
authors: Neurodevelopmental Laboratory on Addictions and Mental Health, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts; McLean Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors: Marisa M
authors: MM
authors: Silveri
authors: Julia
authors: J
authors: Cohen-Gilbert
authors: David J
authors: DJ
authors: Crowley
authors: Isabelle M
authors: IM
authors: Rosso
authors: J Eric
authors: JE
authors: Jensen
authors: Jennifer T
authors: JT
authors: Sneider
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D020751:Alcohol-Induced Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D000648:Amnesia, Retrograde / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D063425:Binge Drinking / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006179:Gyrus Cinguli / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Anterior Cingulate Cortex; Binge Alcohol; Emerging Adult; Gamma Amino-Butyric Acid; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy