Key result
High family alcoholism risk is linked to reduced P300 amplitude in prepubescent boys.
Why the study?
Does P300 amplitude differ in children at high risk for developing alcoholism compared to those at low risk?
Observational (n=86)
Does P300 amplitude differ in children at high risk for developing alcoholism compared to those at low risk?
P300 amplitude may serve as an electrophysiological marker of alcoholism risk in young prepubescent boys.
May support P300 as alcoholism risk marker in prepubescent boys; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice.
A total of 86 children (45 male) between the ages of 8-18 who were from families that were either at high- or low-risk for developing alcoholism were evaluated in a visual event-related potential paradigm. The children responded to two target conditions (hard and easy) and a blank condition by pressing an appropriate button. P300 amplitude was reduced in prepubescent boys who were at high-risk for developing alcoholism. Reaction time data for type of target indicated that, while latency was longer for the hard condition compared to the easy one, no significant differences by risk status were found. Performance accuracy did not differ by group status. These behavioral findings suggest that P300 amplitude is an electrophysiological marker of alcoholism risk in young boys.
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Hill et al. (1993) conducted an observational in Risk for developing alcoholism (n=86). High family risk for developing alcoholism vs. Low family risk for developing alcoholism was evaluated on P300 amplitude and reaction time in a visual discrimination task. High family risk for developing alcoholism was associated with reduced P300 amplitude in prepubescent boys, suggesting it is an electrophysiological marker of alcoholism risk.
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