Alcohol Binge Drinking: Negative and Positive Valence System Abnormalities

Each year, 3 million deaths occur owing to alcohol misuse. Translational studies are crucial translate preclinical findings patients. Preclinical have highlighted abnormalities in specific brain systems, with these forming the basis of allostasis theory. However, few tested predictions humans using neuroimaging. We used a Research Domain Criteria approach test theory blunted positive valence system (PVS) and abnormally increased negative (NVS) responses 57 binge drinking subjects healthy control who completed an instrumental task during functional magnetic resonance imaging. As hypothesized, drinkers showed activity NVS-linked regions, such as hippocampus dorsal cingulate, PVS-linked striatum, compared subjects. Higher measures problematic use were associated more abnormal only for had been most recently drinking. These results support NVS PVS drinkers. Further similar translational neuroimaging indicated, particularly focusing on NVS.