Variants of the P3 event-related potential operate as indicators of distinct mechanisms contributing to problematic alcohol use

Keanan J Joyner; Christopher J Patrick; David H Morris; Denis M McCarthy; Bruce D Bartholow

doi:10.1038/s41386-024-01874-7

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Variants of the P3 event-related potential operate as indicators of distinct mechanisms contributing to problematic alcohol use

Journal article

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Variants of the P3 event-related potential operate as indicators of distinct mechanisms contributing to problematic alcohol use

Keanan J Joyner, Christopher J Patrick, David H Morris, Denis M McCarthy and Bruce D Bartholow

Neuropsychopharmacology (New York, N.Y.), Vol.49(12), pp.1819-1826

11/2024

DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01874-7

PMCID: PMC11473729

PMID: 38734817

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https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11473729/pdf/41386_2024_Article_1874.pdfView

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Abstract

Considerable research has linked relative reduction in the amplitude of the P3 event-related potential (ERP) during cognitive task performance (i.e., Target-P3) with increased risk of alcohol-related problems. A separate literature indicates that a relative increase in the amplitude of the P3 elicited by cues signaling alcohol availability (i.e., ACR-P3) also is associated with alcohol use and problems. To date, no research has integrated these seemingly discrepant findings. Here, we aimed to demonstrate that P3 amplitudes elicited in different task contexts reflect distinct domains of functioning relevant to problematic alcohol involvement (PAI), and therefore can inform heterogeneity in the etiology of PAI. 156 emerging adults (61% women; 88% White/Non-Hispanic) completed a mental rotation task and a picture-viewing task while ERPs were recorded. Participants also completed questionnaire measures of trait disinhibition, alcohol use, and alcohol-related problems. Findings from regression analyses indicated that (a) Target-P3 was negatively associated and ACR-P3 was positively associated with a PAI latent variable; (b) the two P3s accounted for unique variance in PAI, beyond that accounted for by recent drinking; and (c) the association between Target-P3 and PAI-but not ACR-P3 and PAI-was statistically mediated by trait disinhibition. The present findings highlight the unique contributions of distinct functional domains associated with disinhibition and incentive salience in the etiology of PAI. Moreover, findings are consistent with a nuanced understanding of the P3 ERP, whereby its specific meaning varies according to the task context in which it is elicited.

Details

Title: Subtitle: Variants of the P3 event-related potential operate as indicators of distinct mechanisms contributing to problematic alcohol use
Creators: Keanan J Joyner - University of California, Berkeley
Christopher J Patrick - Florida State University
David H Morris - Washington University in St. Louis
Denis M McCarthy - University of Missouri
Bruce D Bartholow - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Neuropsychopharmacology (New York, N.Y.), Vol.49(12), pp.1819-1826
DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01874-7
PMID: 38734817
PMCID: PMC11473729
NLM abbreviation: Neuropsychopharmacology
eISSN: 1740-634X
Grant note: R01 AA030728 / NIAAA NIH HHS R36 DA050049 / NIDA NIH HHS R01 AA025451 / NIAAA NIH HHS R01 AA019546 / NIAAA NIH HHS R01 AA030914 / NIAAA NIH HHS
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 05/11/2024
Date published: 11/2024
Academic Unit: Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
Record Identifier: 9984626142402771

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