This new application is enriched by a longitudinal resource that has the potential to provide a better understanding of the neurobiological determinants of alcohol dependence (AD) in offspring from mutliplex alcohol dependence families (high-risk [HR]) and control (low-risk [LR]) families. In families selected for the presence of many cases of AD, there is a greater likelihood that disease genes will be present providing efficient identification of factors influencing intermediate phenotypes for AD risk. We propose a multivariate approach for understanding how brain morphology and functioning in HR offspring impacts their tendency for emotional dysregulation and behavioral disinhibition and the likelihood that they will develop a substance use disorder (SUD). Alterations in brain systems involved in cognition, emotion and altered sensitivity to acquired reinforcers (rewards) are prominent in long term alcoholics. The limbic aspects of this circuitry include the orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala. Changes in this circuitry that are associated with behavioral disinhibition can provide important clues regarding the etiology of AD. A frequent observation in long term AD individuals is that right hemisphere functioning (e.g., visuospatial performance) is more impaired than is the left, with WM deficits seen in right hemisphere tracts connecting prefrontal regions. Building on observations of familial risk group differences in the right orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), especially in white matter (WM) volume, and in the amygdala, this new study will perform diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in HR and LR offspring to elucidate possible differences in limbic connectivity and relate these to behavioral measures of disinhibition (Aim 1). We plan to investigate gene (G) by environment (E) interactions that may produce structural alterations in key components of brain networks designed for emotional and cognitive regulation and reward (Aim 2). Importantly, the study of the G X E determinants of brain morphology in high risk AD offspring and comparison controls has never been done. Because there is considerable evidence that alcohol has greater neuropathological effects on the developing adolescent/young adult brain, we propose to compare pre-post differences in a sample of HR and LR subjects previously scanned at a time when they had been minimally exposed to alcohol or drugs and who now would be scanned when many have exposure (Aim 3), a unique strategy for measuring exposure effects.
Aim 4 will investigate the relationship between right OFC volume and P300 trajectories and SUD outcome. Continued follow-up of these offspring to determine SUD outcome in young adulthood could provide significant clues about the neurobiological underpinnings of multigenerational AD and suggest genes that may be relevant in this neurobiological variation. Importantly, identifying the genetic determinants of brain morphology involved in SUD has the potential for informing intervention, through better identification of those at highest risk, and for suggesting treatment options through genetically informed medication development.

Public Health Relevance

This new application will provide a better understanding of the neurobiological determinants and consequences of alcohol and drug exposure in offspring from families with multiple cases of alcohol dependence (AD). Currently, there is no way to prospectively identify which offspring will survive or succumb to AD or related substance use disorders (SUD). A subsample of the proposed cohort had MRI scans while free of exposure and now would be followed up 6 years later to assess the effects of exposure. Continued clinical follow up is proposed to determine SUD outcome, measure brain regions thought to be involved in SUD in these offspring and controls, relate the brain morphology to selected genes and environmental exposures, thereby providing important clues concerning the neurobiological determinants of multigenerational AD and suggest possible interventions and treatment.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AA018289-02
Application #
7904339
Study Section
Neural Basis of Psychopathology, Addictions and Sleep Disorders Study Section (NPAS)
Program Officer
Matochik, John A
Project Start
2009-08-01
Project End
2014-07-31
Budget Start
2010-08-01
Budget End
2011-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$703,325
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004514360
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
Sharma, Vinod K; Hill, Shirley Y (2017) Differentiating the Effects of Familial Risk for Alcohol Dependence and Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol on Offspring Brain Morphology. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 41:312-322
O'Brien, Jessica W; Hill, Shirley Y (2017) Neural predictors of substance use disorders in Young adulthood. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 268:22-26
Hill, Shirley Y; Rompala, Gregory; Homanics, Gregg E et al. (2017) Cross-generational effects of alcohol dependence in humans on HRAS and TP53 methylation in offspring. Epigenomics 9:1189-1203
Hill, Shirley Y; Lichenstein, Sarah D; Wang, Shuhui et al. (2016) Volumetric Differences in Cerebellar Lobes in Individuals from Multiplex Alcohol Dependence Families and Controls: Their Relationship to Externalizing and Internalizing Disorders and Working Memory. Cerebellum 15:744-754
Hill, Shirley Y; Sharma, Vinod; Jones, Bobby L (2016) Lifetime use of cannabis from longitudinal assessments, cannabinoid receptor (CNR1) variation, and reduced volume of the right anterior cingulate. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 255:24-34
Hill, Shirley Y; Jones, Bobby L; Steinhauer, Stuart R et al. (2016) Longitudinal predictors of cannabis use and dependence in offspring from families at ultra high risk for alcohol dependence and in control families. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 171B:383-95
Hill, Shirley Y; Jones, Bobby L; Zezza, Nicholas et al. (2015) ACN9 and alcohol dependence: family-based association analysis in multiplex alcohol dependence families. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 168B:179-87
Hill, Shirley Y; O'Brien, Jessica (2015) Psychological and Neurobiological Precursors of Alcohol Use Disorders in High Risk Youth. Curr Addict Rep 2:104-113
O'Brien, Jessica W; Hill, Shirley Y (2014) Effects of prenatal alcohol and cigarette exposure on offspring substance use in multiplex, alcohol-dependent families. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 38:2952-61
O'Brien, Jessica W; Lichenstein, Sarah D; Hill, Shirley Y (2014) Maladaptive decision making and substance use outcomes in high-risk individuals: preliminary evidence for the role of 5-HTTLPR variation. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 75:643-52

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