{
  "abstract": "Introduction Early identification of individuals at risk for escalating substance use is crucial for preventative interventions. This study uses longitudinal neuroimaging data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study to explore brain biomarkers predictive of substance use trajectories among adolescents.Methods We established a cohort of adolescents with no initial substance use at baseline (ages 9-10) and tracked their substance use across four years, categorizing them into low-risk, mild escalation, and severe escalation groups based on their consumption patterns for alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and other substances. Multimodal neuroimaging data, including structural and functional metrics from T1 imaging, resting-state fMRI, and diffusion tensor imaging, were analysed with one-way ANOVA tests with post-hoc Tukey corrections. Additionally, topological analyses of brain networks were conducted to assess global and nodal network properties. Demographic variables were compared at baseline to control for potential confounders.Results The cohort included 319 subjects (130 low-risk, 96 mild escalation, 93 severe escalation), with no baseline demographic differences found among the groups. Comparative neuroimaging analyses identified several brain regions related to substance use trajectories. Specifically, significant structural differences were observed in the lateral orbital sulcus and right precuneus in relation to substance use escalation. Meanwhile, alterations in the functional correlation of the salience network and left caudate were uniquely observed in the severe escalation group. Topological analysis also demonstrated significant large-scale network changes, indicating potential biomarkers for substance use severity. The dorsal attention network showed a significant reduction in Betweenness Centrality in the mild escalation group compared to low-risk, while the salience network exhibited dysfunction in the severe escalation group. Additionally, the retrosplenial temporal network exhibited increased Betweenness Centrality and Nodal Clustering Coefficient in the severe escalation group, suggesting a critical role of this network as substance use intensity increases.Conclusion This study identifies potential neuroimaging biomarkers that could predict adolescent substance use trajectories. Early alterations in specific brain areas and networks, including the precuneus and salience network, may precede and potentially influence escalating substance use. These biomarkers can inform targeted interventions to mitigate the progression of substance use in high-risk individuals.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Manchester"
      ],
      "name": "Xinyue Teng"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Manchester"
      ],
      "name": "Tim Cootes"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Manchester"
      ],
      "name": "Rebecca Elliott"
    }
  ],
  "title": "#8193 Neuroimaging biomarkers for predicting substance use trajectories in adolescents: insights from the ABCD study",
  "uid": "9b0eac69-1228-5766-86f2-1fde72e6a947"
}