Amygdala Activation and Emotional Processing in Adolescents at Risk for Substance Use Disorders

Abstract

Studies are needed that examine neurobiological characteristics in high-risk individuals prior to substance use disorder (SUD) development. In this pilot study, 4 adolescent subjects at high risk for SUD (having at least 1 parent with an SUD) were compared with 4 adolescent reference subjects on a cortico-limbic reactivity paradigm, where they were presented with affect-laden faces or geometric shapes. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure cortical activation in response to these stimuli. High-risk subjects, compared to low-risk, exhibited greater left amygdala activation (t = 2.76, df = 6, p = 0.03), suggesting they may exhibit hyperresponsivity of the amygdala in response to emotional stimuli.

Keywords:

• adolescents
• functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
• high risk