Electrophysiological sexual dimorphism as an early risk marker of alcohol use in adolescence: A longitudinal neuroimaging study

Aims To identify the brain activity profiles associated with alcohol consumption and to address its causes. Furthermore, we sought to examine the relationship between these electrophysiological markers and the excitation–inhibition balance, as well as to explore the potential moderating role of sex in these associations. Design Longitudinal study involving a neuroimaging assessment that included magnetoencephalography (MEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), along with a battery of self‐report questionnaires. A follow‐up assessment was conducted two years later using the same set of neuroimaging and behavioural measures. Setting and participants 56 adolescents aged 13 to 17 years recruited from high schools in the community of Madrid, Spain, prior to the initiation of alcohol use. Measurements We extracted measures of power spectral density and excitation–inhibition balance across the brain from MEG recordings and cognitive traits related to risk behaviors from a battery of self‐report questionnaires. Alcohol consumption was evaluated during the follow‐up visit through structured individual interviews. Findings Power‐spectra in beta‐band showed a positive correlation with alcohol use during both stages (baseline: rho = 0.33, P < 0.05; follow‐up: rho = 0.35; P < 0.05) and a negative correlation with excitation–inhibition ratio (baseline: P < 0.001; rho = −0.56; follow‐up: P < 0.01; rho = −0.37). Finally, biological sex showed strong moderation effect, where females drove the predictive relationship ( P < 0.001; rho = 0.64; β = −0,61). Conclusion Spontaneous electrophysiological brain activity may provide an early biomarker of future alcohol use in females and appears to be associated with activity profiles prone to inhibition.