Areas of the brain that are involved in cognition, attention, and behavior continue to develop during early adulthood, which can result in impulsive and risky behavior during this time period. During early adulthood, many individuals also attend college which can further precipitate this risky and impulsive behavior as individuals experiment with alcohol consumption. Alcohol use increases impulsivity and adversely impacts decision-making. High risk alcohol use can result in a variety of serious negative outcomes including injuries, automobile accidents, and alcohol poisoning. For college students, alcohol misuse can also impact academic, social, and health outcomes. This study examines the potential role of brain maturation involving emotion and impulsivity on risky alcohol use in college freshman.  

The study’s sample consisted of 60 college freshman who completed questionnaires and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) testing. A follow-up survey was conducted one year later and 52 of the students participated. Three questionnaires were used to assess quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption (AUDIT), negative consequences of alcohol drinking (YAACQ), and general functioning, including depression and anxiety levels (C-CAPS). Students also participated in emotional Go-NoGo testing as MRI data was collected. This test challenges participants to disregard background images that are meant to stimulate positive, negative, or neutral emotions. Data was analyzed using multiple linear regressions to evaluate associations between network activation, alcohol misuse, and task performance.  

Results of the data analysis showed activation strength of DAN, a network involved in executive attention, was negatively associated with alcohol and substance use at baseline and follow up. DAN was also negatively associated with alcohol-related consequences at baseline but not at follow up. These results suggest that in young adults who are high risk drinkers, negative emotional information may hinder large-scale brain circuitry involving top- down attentional control.   

Takeaway: Exploring large-scale brain network activity may provide predictive value when assessing negative emotion control in college students who display high risk drinking habits.  

Cohen-Gilbert, J.E., Nickersossn, L.D., Seraikas, A.M., et al. Large-scale brain network activation during emotional inhibitory control: Associations with alcohol misuse in college freshmen. Alcoholism, Clinical, and Experimental Research. 2022;10.1111/acer.14782. doi:10.1111/acer.14782