Alcohol Consumption and Family History as Correlates of Neuroanatomy and Cognition

Neuroanatomical and cognitive differences between individuals with and without a family history of alcohol dependence (FHA) have been noted, however, results are inconsistent. Similarly, the relationship between alcohol consumption and neuroanatomy in young adults without an alcohol use disorder remains unclear. The current study examined the association between alcohol consumption and family history with neuroanatomical and cognitive outcomes in a sample of sixty-nine young adults. Participants with a recent history of heavy episodic drinking completed structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cognitive testing (WASI-II). Factorial ANOVAs were used to compare FHA and sex groups on neuroanatomy and cognition; linear regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between alcohol consumption and neuroanatomy. Neuroanatomical and cognitive outcomes did not significantly vary as a factor of FHA or sex. Alcohol consumption indices did not significantly predict neuroanatomy. Differences in data analysis and study design are hypothesized to contribute discrepancies in the literature.M.A