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Neuroanatomical correlates of impulsive choices and risky decision making in young chronic tobacco smokers : a voxel-based morphometry study

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Conti_2021_Neuroanatomical_correlates_FiPsych_12_708925_CCBY.pdf (879.6Kb)
Date
30/08/2021
Author
Conti, Aldo Alberto
Baldacchino, Alexander Mario
Keywords
Neuropsychology
Nicotine
Adolescents
Impulsivity
Tobacco
Addictions
Neuroimaging
RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
RC0321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
NDAS
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Abstract
Introduction : Impairments in the multifaceted neuropsychological construct of cognitive impulsivity are a main feature of chronic tobacco smokers. According to the literature, these cognitive impairments are relevant for the initiation andmaintenance of the smoking behavior. However, the neuroanatomical correlates of cognitive impulsivity in chronic smokers remain under-investigated. Methods : A sample of 28 chronic smokers (mean age = 28 years) not affectedby polysubstance dependence and 24 matched non-smoker controls was recruited. Voxel Based Morphometry (VBM) was employed to assess Gray Matter (GM) volume differences between smokers and non-smokers. The relationships between GM volume and behavioral manifestations of impulsive choices (5 trial adjusting delay discounting task, ADT-5) and risky decision making (Cambridge Gambling Task, CGT) were also investigated.  Results : VBM results revealed GM volume reductions in cortical and striatal brainregions of chronic smokers compared to non-smokers. Additionally, smokers showed heightened impulsive choices (p < 0.01, Cohen’s f = 0.50) and a riskier decision- making process (p < 0.01, Cohen’s f = 0.40) compared to non-smokers. GM volume reductions in the left Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) correlated with impaired impulsive and risky choices, while GM volume reductions in the left Ventrolateral Prefrontal Cortex (VLPFC) and Caudate correlated with heightened impulsive choices. Reduced GM volume in the left VLPFC correlated with younger age at smoking initiation (mean = 16 years).  Conclusion : Smokers displayed significant GM volume reductions and related cognitive impulsivity impairments compared to non-smoker individuals. Longitudinal studies would be required to assess whether these impairments underline neurocognitive endophenotypes or if they are a consequence of tobacco exposure on the adolescent brain.
Citation
Conti , A A & Baldacchino , A M 2021 , ' Neuroanatomical correlates of impulsive choices and risky decision making in young chronic tobacco smokers : a voxel-based morphometry study ' , Frontiers in Psychiatry , vol. 12 , 708925 . https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.708925
Publication
Frontiers in Psychiatry
Status
Peer reviewed
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.708925
ISSN
1664-0640
Type
Journal article
Rights
Copyright © 2021 Conti and Baldacchino. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Description
This study has been supported by a University of St. Andrews Endowment fund and by a self-funded PhD scholarship.
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  • University of St Andrews Research
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10023/23918

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