A multimethod examination of impulsivity and its association with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate, and other neurometabolite levels in youth who do and do not use alcohol

IF 3.6 2区医学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Addictive behaviors Pub Date : 2025-08-13 DOI:10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108452

Anna M. Porter , Anna E. Kirkland , Pamela L. Ferguson , Brittney D. Browning , Louise Mewton , Lindsay M. Squeglia

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Minimal research has examined neurochemical alterations underlying the relationship between impulsivity and alcohol use in youth. We examined associations between multimethod impulsivity measures and neurometabolite levels in youth who use alcohol compared to controls.

Methods

Using baseline data from two clinical trials with youth (age 16–22) who used alcohol (N = 82, 65 % female) and healthy controls (N = 22, 50 % female), we measured levels of glutamate-related metabolites (glutamate [Glu] and glutamate + glutamine [Glx]) and GABA, and other exploratory neurometabolites (glutathione, total N-acetylaspartate [tNAA], total choline-containing metabolites [tCho], and myo-inositol), in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Trait impulsivity was measured via the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), and behavioral impulsivity was measured via the D-KEFS Color-Word Interference Test and the Cash Choice Task.

Results

Compared to controls, youth who use alcohol had higher impulsivity on the BIS-11 attentional, non-planning, and motor subscales. There were no significant interactions between group (alcohol, control) and impulsivity variables in predicting Glu, Glx, or GABA levels. In exploratory analyses, better inhibitory control and lower non-planning impulsivity in youth who use alcohol was associated with higher glutathione levels; however, the opposite relationship was found for controls.

Conclusions

These preliminary findings suggest trait, but not behavioral, impulsivity is significantly associated with alcohol use in youth. Glutathione may have differential associations with distinct impulsivity constructs in youth who use alcohol compared to controls. Further research is needed to corroborate these associations and their implications for understanding the neurochemical basis of impulsivity and alcohol use in youth.

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饮酒和不饮酒青年的冲动性及其与γ -氨基丁酸（GABA）、谷氨酸和其他神经代谢物水平的关系的多方法检查

关于青少年冲动和饮酒之间关系的神经化学变化的研究很少。我们研究了与对照组相比，使用酒精的青少年的多方法冲动测量和神经代谢物水平之间的关系。方法采用两项临床试验的基线数据，分别来自饮酒的青少年（16-22岁）（N = 82, 65%为女性）和健康对照（N = 22, 50%为女性），我们测量了谷氨酸相关代谢物（谷氨酸[Glu]和谷氨酸+谷氨酰胺[Glx]）和GABA水平，以及其他探索性神经代谢物（谷胱甘肽、总N-乙酰天冬氨酸[tNAA]、总含胆碱代谢物[tCho]和肌醇）水平。在背前扣带皮层使用质子磁共振波谱。特质冲动性采用Barratt冲动性量表（BIS-11）测量，行为冲动性采用D-KEFS色字干扰测验和现金选择任务测量。结果与对照组相比，使用酒精的青少年在BIS-11注意、非计划和运动分量表上具有更高的冲动性。在预测Glu、Glx或GABA水平时，组（酒精、对照组）和冲动变量之间没有显著的相互作用。在探索性分析中，使用酒精的青少年更好的抑制控制和更低的非计划性冲动与更高的谷胱甘肽水平相关；然而，在对照组中发现了相反的关系。结论：这些初步发现表明，青少年的冲动性与酒精使用有显著的关系，而不是行为上的。与对照组相比，谷胱甘肽可能与使用酒精的青少年的不同冲动结构有不同的关联。需要进一步的研究来证实这些关联及其对理解青少年冲动和酒精使用的神经化学基础的影响。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Addictive behaviors 医学-药物滥用

CiteScore

8.40

自引率

4.50%

发文量

283

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： Addictive Behaviors is an international peer-reviewed journal publishing high quality human research on addictive behaviors and disorders since 1975. The journal accepts submissions of full-length papers and short communications on substance-related addictions such as the abuse of alcohol, drugs and nicotine, and behavioral addictions involving gambling and technology. We primarily publish behavioral and psychosocial research but our articles span the fields of psychology, sociology, psychiatry, epidemiology, social policy, medicine, pharmacology and neuroscience. While theoretical orientations are diverse, the emphasis of the journal is primarily empirical. That is, sound experimental design combined with valid, reliable assessment and evaluation procedures are a requisite for acceptance. However, innovative and empirically oriented case studies that might encourage new lines of inquiry are accepted as well. Studies that clearly contribute to current knowledge of etiology, prevention, social policy or treatment are given priority. Scholarly commentaries on topical issues, systematic reviews, and mini reviews are encouraged. We especially welcome multimedia papers that incorporate video or audio components to better display methodology or findings. Studies can also be submitted to Addictive Behaviors? companion title, the open access journal Addictive Behaviors Reports, which has a particular interest in ''non-traditional'', innovative and empirically-oriented research such as negative/null data papers, replication studies, case reports on novel treatments, and cross-cultural research.