Level of response to alcohol and brain response during visual working memory

Objective: This study examined neural correlates of the low level of response to alcohol using functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) during a challenging visual working memory task. Method: Participants were healthy adolescents (N = 35) with a range of drinking patterns recruited from local high schools. After a minimum 5 days of abstinence from alcohol and other drugs, FMRI, neuropsychological testing and the Self-Rating of the Effects of Alcohol were administered. Results: Self-report of initial level of response to alcohol was significantly predicted by FMRI blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) response to the visual working memory task in the right prefrontal and bilateral anterior cingulate region (12% of unique variance, p < .05) and right cerebellum and parahippocampal gyrus (17% of unique variance, p < .01), above and beyond effects accounted for by drinks consumed per month, age, gender and ethnicity. Conclusions: Young people who report having needed more alcohol to achieve specific effects during early drinking experiences show higher levels of brain response during visual working memory, perhaps suggesting less capacity to adjust cognitive processing to contextual demands.