Combining diffusion tensor imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy to study reduced frontal white matter integrity in youths with family histories of substance use disorders.

ABSTRACT: Individuals with a family history of substance use disorder (FH+) show impaired frontal white matter as indicated by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). This impairment may be due to impaired or delayed development of myelin in frontal regions, potentially contributing to this population's increased risk for developing substance use disorders. In this study, we examined high angular resolution DTI and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy data from the anterior corona radiata were collected in 80 FH+ and 34 FH- youths (12.9 ± 1.0 years old). White matter integrity indices included fractional anisotropy (FA), N-acetylaspartate (NAA), and total choline (tCho). Lower FA suggests decreased myelination. Decreased NAA coupled with higher tCho suggests impaired build-up and maintenance of cerebral m

SUBMITTER: Acheson A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4219410 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature