The impact of initiating binge drinking on psychophysiological indices of emotional arousal in young adults
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1
University of New South Wales, Australia
Aims: Abnormalities in emotion and arousal are associated with alcohol abuse and dependence. Less is known about the effects of binge drinking, particularly among the still developing brains of young adults and it is not clear whether abnormalities predate or follow initiation of alcohol use. Therefore, the aim of this longitudinal study was to examine the effect of initiating binge drinking on emotional arousal among university students via electroencephalogram (EEG).
Method: Eighteen Participants (10 Males) aged 17-25 viewed film clips containing pleasant, unpleasant and neutral content whilst arousal levels (indexed by EEG alpha power) and valence ratings were measured. Emotional empathy (Balanced Emotional Empathy Scale, BEES) and trait impulsivity (Barrett Impulsivity Scale, BIS-11) were also assessed. Participants were tested prior the onset of binge drinking and then again approximately 3 months later.
Results: Pre-existing psychophysiological differences between groups were revealed at baseline in the absence of behavioural and psychological differences. That is, high expectant drinkers (all of whom later transitioned into binge drinkers) exhibited greater alpha suppression (higher arousal; increased sensitivity) to unpleasant versus pleasant content relative to low expectant drinkers. Although no major changes were established from baseline to follow-up, additional subtle topographic alterations were observed following transition into binge drinking. Namely, relative to non-binge drinking controls, commencing binge drinkers exhibited reduced sensitivity to unpleasant versus pleasant content, evident in the posterior region of the brain.
Conclusions: This study indicates that cortical vulnerabilities exist prior to commencement of heavy alcohol use and may lead to changes in emotion-related cortical activity. This has important implications for improving prevention programs targeting at risk individuals.
Keywords:
binge drinking,
emotional arousal,
emotional processing,
pre-existing deficits,
Empathy,
Impulsive Behavior,
Longitudinal
Conference:
Australasian Society for Psychophysiology, Inc, Coffs Harbour, Australia, 26 Nov - 28 Nov, 2014.
Presentation Type:
Poster
Topic:
Psychophysiology
Citation:
Joseph
M,
Rushby
JA,
Smith
JL and
Dalton
K
(2014). The impact of initiating binge drinking on psychophysiological indices of emotional arousal in young adults.
Conference Abstract:
Australasian Society for Psychophysiology, Inc.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2014.216.00032
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Received:
14 Oct 2014;
Published Online:
02 Dec 2014.
*
Correspondence:
Miss. Meryem Joseph, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, meryem.joseph@hotmail.com