Abstract
Background: Risk of alcoholism is higher in those with a positive family history (FH+) and in those showing behavioral disinhibition, possibly reflecting altered limbic system function. Methods: We performed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 17 nonabusing young adults, 9 with FH+ and high in disinhibition versus 8 with a negative family history (FH-) and low in disinhibition. We probed limbic system reactivity with a recognition task using faces expressing fear versus geometric objects. Results: Subjects with FH- had robust activation to the faces in the region of the right and left amygdalar complexes (p's < .05), while subjects with FH+ had no such activation (p's > .46). The blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal in the region of the amygdala was correlated with scores on the self-report measure of temperament in the combined groups (r = .51, p < .04). Conclusions: Behaviorally disinhibited temperament, found in many with FH+, may be associated with amygdalar hyporesponsiveness and a failure to avoid risky decisions, increasing the person's liability for alcohol abuse.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1306-1309 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Biological Psychiatry |
Volume | 61 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 1 2007 |
Keywords
- Alcoholism
- amygdala
- behavioral disinhibition
- fMRI
- risk factors
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biological Psychiatry