“Waiting” impulsivity in binge-drinkers: A potential risk for developing alcohol use disorder?

Converging evidence implicates heightened impulsivity underlying substance use disorders and other behavioural addictions (Perry & Carroll, 2008, Psychopharmacology (Berl), 200:1-26; Robbins et al., 2012, Trends Cogn Sci, 16: 81-91). Impaired motor inhibition and impulsivity has been advocated as one the underlying cognitive changes directing the transition from alcohol binge to alcohol use disorder (AUD) (Field, Schoenmakers & Wiers, 2008, Drug Alcohol Depend, 97: 1-20). Motor inhibition can be divided into (i) motor response inhibition, as measured using the Stop Signal task or the Go/No Go task, or (ii) premature responding or anticipatory responding prior to target onset. Preclinical studies of premature responding using the 5-CSRTT have shown that premature responding and high impulsive choice potentially predicts risk for substance risk disorder (Belin et al., 2008, Science, 320: 1352–1355). Recently, Voon et al. (2014)( Biol Psychiatry, 75: 148-155) developed a 4 CSRTT to study premature responding in humans. Here we studied a binge-drinking population stringently defined according the diagnostic criteria for binge-drinking from the National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse. We hypothesized that motor impulsivity would be elevated in binge drinkers compared to healthy volunteers. Motor impulsivity was assessed using the Premature Responding Task, and the Stop-Signal Task. Secondary, exploratory analyses were done to on a variety of compulsivity measures. We show that binge drinking subjects have greater premature responding compared to healthy volunteers (T = 2.068, p = 0.041). No differences were found in the SSRT (GoRT: T = 1.259, p = 0.212; SSRT: T = 0.216, p = 0.830). Additionally, no differences were found in measures of compulsivity. Previously, premature responding has been shown in alcohol abstinent subjects and methamphetamine dependence subjects, as well as pathologic video gambling (Voon et al., 2014; Irvine et al., 2013, PLoS One (8): e75914). Unlike (preclinical) literature on other drugs, this is one of the first studies to assess the role of premature responding as a predictor for AUD. Our study in binge-drinkers, a group at high risk to develop AUD, proposes premature responding as a potential biomarker for AUD. These findings support a model favouring (motor) impulsivity as a precursor for compulsivity in behavioural addictions.status: accepte