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Abstract: 

Our regular review of the research literature focuses on recent discoveries linking the neurofibromin 1 gene (Nf1) with dependent and non-dependent drinking and the release of GABA, a natural control mechanism that helps the body manage stress, and which can be produced by alcohol use; how the late-developing prefrontal cortex is implicated in adolescent risk taking; the variable effectiveness of common interventions for reducing problem drinking among college students; traumatic brain injury and psychological and behavioral problems such as substance use, aggression, and suicidality; and the relationship between higher rates of DUI recidivism and co-occurring psychiatric disorders. Reviews include: “Nf1 Regulates Alcohol Dependence-Associated Excessive Drinking and Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Release in the Central Amygdala in Mice and Is Associated With Alcohol Dependence in Humans” by Vez Repunte-Canonigo, Melissa Herman, Tomoya Kawamura, Henry Kranzler, Richard Sherva, Joel Gelernter, Lindsay Farrer, Marisa Roberto, & Pietro Sanna, published in 77(10) Biol. Psychiatry 870-79 (2015); “Longitudinal Changes in Prefrontal Cortex Activation Underlie Declines in Adolescent Risk Taking” by Yang Qu, Adriana Galvan, Andrew Fuligni, Matthew Lieberman, & Eva Telzer, published in 35(32) J. Neurosci.11308-1314 (2015); “Defining and Characterizing Differences in College Alcohol Intervention Efficacy: A Growth Mixture Modeling Application” by James Henson, Matthew Pearson, & Kate Carey, published in 83(2) J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 370-81 (2015); “Traumatic Brain Injury, Driver Aggression, and Motor Vehicle Collisions in Canadian Adults” by Gabriela Illie, Robert Mann, Anca Ialomiteanu, Edward Adlaf, Hayley Hamilton, Christine Wickens, Mark Asbridge, Jurgen Rehm, & Michael Cusimano, published in 81(1) Accid. Anal. Prev. 1-7 (2015); “A Prospective Study of Psychiatric Comorbidity and Recidivism Among Repeat DUI Offenders” by Sarah Nelson, Katerina Belkin, Debi LaPlante, Leslie Bosworth, & Howard Shaffer, published in 3(1) Arch. Sci. Psychol. 8-17 (2015).

Keywords: Neurofibromin 1 gene and alcohol abuse; Adolescent Risk Taking; College Alcohol Interventions

Affiliations:  1: UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs.