J. Brigham et al., EVENT-RELATED POTENTIALS AND ALPHA-SYNCHRONIZATION IN PREADOLESCENT BOYS AT RISK FOR PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCE USE, Biological psychiatry, 37(12), 1995, pp. 834-846
Numerous studies have evaluated event-related potentials (ERPs) as bio
logical indicators of the liability for alcoholism. This study extends
that approach by investigating ERPs in boys at risk for other substan
ce use disorders. Prepubertal (10-12 years) sons of fathers diagnosed
with psychoactive substance dependence (n = 28) were compared to match
ed sons of nonaffected fathers (n = 26) on an auditory ERP oddball tas
k. Multivariate analyses of variance applied to peak amplitude and lat
ency measures indicated small to moderate between-groups differences a
t midline or parietal sites: N2 and P3 amplitude; P2, N2, P3, and Nc l
atency. This replicated P3 amplitude findings in alcoholism-risk studi
es, though the effect size was moderate. Analysis of event-related alp
ha power indicated significantly longer latency of alpha synchronizati
on and oscillations of desynchronization in boys at risk. The alpha po
wer findings were statistically the more robust of the measures applie
d. The role of neurocognitive factors in determining liability for sub
stance use disorders is discussed.