NECeA

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10347/34373

O grupo de Neurociencia Cognitiva e Afectiva, coordinado por Fernando Cadaveira Mahía, investiga as bases neurais dos procesos cognitivos e afectivos en poboación normal e de alto risco. Interésase polos efectos neurocognitivos do consumo de alcohol en mozos; pola caracterización do avellentamento neurocognitivo en poboación sa, e o estudo da interacción entre procesos cognitivos e afectivos.

Desenvolve a súa actividade no Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía da Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Na actualidade as súas principais liñas de investigación oriéntanse ao estudo dos efectos do consumo intensivo de alcohol en mozos; á caracterización do avellentamento neurocognitivo en poboación sana e ao estudo da interacción entre procesos cognitivos e afectivos. O funcionamento neurocognitivo investígase desde diferentes niveis de análise mediante o rexistro da actividade eléctrica cerebral (EEG/PE) e a avaliación neuropsicolóxica. Ocasionalmente, tamén utilizamos outras técnicas, MEG, IRM, IRMf, grazas á colaboración con outros laboratorios e, actualmente, co Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS).

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From binge drinking to future alcohol severity: The role of emotion regulation and emerging psychopathology
(Elsevier, 2026-02-26) Carbia, Carina; Rodríguez González, María Soledad; Suárez Suárez, Samuel; Doallo Pesado, Sonia; Cadaveira Mahía, Fernando; Corral Varela, María Montserrat; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Objectives: Binge drinking (BD) increases the risk for alcohol use disorders and other psychopathological disorders later in life. Emotion regulation (ER) deficits have been identified as a transdiagnostic risk factor, yet their role in risk trajectories is not well established. This is especially relevant in young BDs initially free of psychopathology, where emerging symptoms may shape risk trajectories toward severe alcohol use. Thus, this study examined whether ER difficulties mediate the link between BD and later alcohol severity, and whether emerging psychopathology moderates these associations during the critical developmental period of late adolescence. Methods: A total of 192 university students (53% female) were followed over two years, from ages 18 to 20. Individuals with psychopathological symptoms or alcohol-related problems were excluded at baseline. Alcohol consumption patterns were assessed together with ER (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale), and psychopathology (Brief Symptom Inventory). Mediation and moderated mediation analyses were conducted using PROCESS in SPSS. Results: BD was associated with ER difficulties, particularly problems engaging in goal-directed behaviour. ER difficulties partially mediated the relationship between BD and later alcohol severity. Emerging psychopathological symptoms amplified both the direct effect of BD and the indirect effect through ER. Specifically, ER difficulties predicted alcohol severity only among individuals with elevated psychopathological symptoms. Conclusions: Findings suggest that ER difficulties, especially goal-directed behaviour, mediate the progression from BD to alcohol severity, and that emerging psychopathology during late adolescence heightens this risk. Preventive interventions should target both BD and ER skills in youth, particularly those developing early psychopathological symptoms.
Influence of binge drinking on the resting state functional connectivity of university Students: A follow-up study
(Elsevier, 2025) Suárez Suárez, Samuel; Cadaveira Mahía, Fernando; Barrós Loscertales, Alfonso; Pérez García, José Manuel; Rodríguez Holguín, Socorro; Blanco-Ramos, Javier; Doallo Pesado, Sonia; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Binge Drinking (BD) is characterized by consuming large amounts of alcohol on one occasion, posing risks to brain function. Nonetheless, it remains the most prevalent consumption pattern among students. Cross-sectional studies have explored the relationship between BD and anomalies in resting-state functional connectivity (RS-FC), but the medium/long-term consequences of BD on RS-FC during developmental periods remain relatively unexplored. In this two-year follow-up study, the impact of sustained BD on RS-FC was investigated in 44 college students (16 binge-drinkers) via two fMRI sessions at ages 18–19 and 20–21. Using a seed-to-voxel approach, RS-FC differences were examined in nodes of the main brain functional networks vulnerable to alcohol misuse, according to previous studies. Group differences in RS-FC were observed in four of the explored brain regions. Binge drinkers, compared to the control group, exhibited, at the second assessment, decreased connectivity between the right SFG (executive control network) and right precentral gyrus, the ACC (salience network) and right postcentral gyrus, and the left amygdala (emotional network) and medial frontal gyrus/dorsal ACC. Conversely, binge drinkers showed increased connectivity between the right Nacc (reward network) and four clusters comprising bilateral middle frontal gyrus (MFG), right middle cingulate cortex, and right MFG extending to SFG. Maintaining a BD pattern during critical neurodevelopmental years impacts RS-FC, indicating mid-to-long-term alterations in functional brain organization. This study provides new insights into the neurotoxic effects of adolescent alcohol misuse, emphasizing the need for longitudinal studies addressing the lasting consequences on brain functional connectivity.
Emotional memory bias in binge drinking women
(Elsevier, 2020) Carbia, Carina; Corral Varela, María Montserrat; Caamaño Isorna, Francisco; Cadaveira Mahía, Fernando; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía
Background Heightened emotionality and overrepresentation of memories are typical features of adolescence. Binge drinking (BD) during emerging adulthood has been linked to cognitive difficulties such as deficits in episodic memory. Despite that impairments in emotional functioning have been associated with the development of alcohol use disorders, particularly in females, the emotional sphere has been relatively unexplored in BDs. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the effects of BD in emotional episodic memory from a gender perspective. Methods One hundred and eighty (96 females) university students were followed during two years (18–20 years old) and their alcohol use was recorded. In the last assessment, participants completed an emotional list-learning task. Generalized linear mixed models were applied separately for males and females, in accordance with sex differences in the development of emotion circuitry. Results In females, BD was associated with an emotional memory bias in favour of negative information and lower recall of positive and neutral words. In addition, females BDs showed more false alarms for negative distractors. Whereas in males, no alcohol-related effects were found. Conclusions Female BDs present a negative memory bias, poor learning and delayed episodic recall linked to the interference of negative content, which suggests difficulties in disengaging attention to salient negative stimuli and a reduction of inhibitory capacities. This might result in greater vulnerability to alcohol-related emotional disturbances among women. Further research is needed to understand the role of emotional regulation in the escalation of alcohol abuse from a gender perspective.
Neurostructural features predict binge drinking in emerging adulthood: Evidence from a 5-year follow-up study
(Elsevier, 2024) Pérez García, José Manuel; Suárez Suárez, Samuel; Rodríguez González, María Soledad; Rodríguez Holguín, Socorro; Cadaveira Mahía, Fernando; Doallo Pesado, Sonia; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS); Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Social, Básica e Metodoloxía
Background Binge drinking (BD) involves consuming large amounts of alcohol within a short timeframe, leading to a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 g/dL or above. This pattern of alcohol consumption is prevalent among young adults and has significant implications for brain structure and subsequent drinking behaviors. Methods In this prospective longitudinal study, we employed zero-inflated negative binomial regression models to examine whether various neurostructural features (i.e., volume, surface area, cortical thickness) of brain regions involved in executive and emotional/motivational processes at the age of 18–19 could predict number of BD episodes five years later, at ages 23–24, once participants were expected to complete their university degree. Specifically, we recorded magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from 68 students who completed both the baseline MRI and follow-up alcohol use assessment, with the aim of analyzing the predictive value of these neurostructural characteristics five years later. Results The analysis revealed that a larger surface area in the caudal division of the right middle frontal gyrus was significantly associated with a higher incidence rate of BD episodes (IRR = 2.24, 95 % CI = 1.28–3.91, p = 0.005). Conversely, a smaller surface area in the right caudal anterior cingulate cortex was associated with a higher incidence rate of BD episodes (IRR = 0.61, 95 % CI = 0.44–0.85, p = 0.004). Conclusions These findings suggest that specific neurostructural characteristics during adolescence can predict BD behaviors in young adulthood. This highlights the potential of neuroimaging to identify individuals at risk for developing problematic alcohol use.
Nomophobia and Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Consumption in Adolescents in Galicia
(Mary Ann Liebert, 2024-04-17) Díaz Geada, Ainara; Moure Rodríguez, Lucía; Mallah, Narmeen; Corral Varela, María Montserrat; Platas Ferreiro, María Lidia; Caamaño Isorna, Francisco; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psiquiatría, Radioloxía, Saúde Pública, Enfermaría e Medicina; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Enfermaría
This study aimed at exploring the association of nomophobia with alcohol, tobacco, and/or cannabis consumption among high school students. We carried out a cross-sectional study among high school and vocational training students in Galicia, Northwest Spain (N = 3,100). Collected data included nomophobia, sociodemographic variables, and alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis consumption. Nomophobia was measured using the validated Nomophobia Questionnaire. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and their 95 percent confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using generalized linear mixed models. More than a quarter of the adolescents (27.7 percent) had nomophobia. We found an association between nomophobia and a high level of tobacco smoking in the last month in boys (OR = 2.16; 95 percent CI: 1.55–3.03). Nomophobia was also associated with higher odds of binge drinking in both genders (girls: OR = 1.86; 95 percent CI: 1.61–3.52; boys: OR = 2.29; 95 percent CI: 1.68–3.13) and with cannabis consumption in boys (OR = 1.74; 95 percent CI: 1.07–2.81). Our findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive investigation of the factors underlying alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis consumption in the adolescent population.
Verbal memory and executive components of recall in adolescent binge drinkers
(Frontiers in Psychology, 2023-10-23) Porras Truque, Claudia; García Moreno, Luis Miguel; Mateos Gordo, Patricia; Ordoñez, Xavier G.; Cadaveira Mahía, Fernando; Corral Varela, María Montserrat; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía
Introduction: Binge drinking (BD) is a common health-risk behavior among young people. Due to the incomplete maturation of the adolescent brain, BD can lead to structural and functional changes that impact neurocognitive processes, particularly executive functioning and verbal memory. This study aimed to investigate the influence of executive components, such as mnemonic strategies and error avoidance, on performance in a verbal memory test and the potential effects of BD on this performance. Methods: A sample of 160 college students (51.55% female) with a mean age of 18.12 ± 0.32 years completed assessments for alcohol use disorders using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT), as well as psychopathological (Symptom Checklist-90-R) and neuropsychological evaluations (Verbal Learning Test Spain-Complutense and WMS-III Logical Memory). The Intensive Drinking Evaluation Instrument (IECI) was utilized to gather detailed information about binge drinking habits, including the calculation of the highest blood alcohol concentration (BAC) during an episode of intake. Results: Correlation and clustering analyses revealed a negative association between BAC values and verbal memory performance, as well as the use of memory strategies. The high BAC group (BD) exhibited negative values in verbal memory variables, higher accuracy errors, and less efficient strategy usage, while the low BAC group (No BD) demonstrated better memory test performance, fewer precision errors, and superior use of memory strategies. Discussion: These findings support the hypothesis that, when solving tests requiring verbal memory, adolescents reporting a BD consumption pattern show fewer executive skills in their resolution and, therefore, achieved poorer performance than non-binge drinkers. Addressing excessive alcohol consumption in young individuals is crucial for safeguarding their cognitive development and overall well-being.
Neurocognitive function in recreational ketamine: a scoping review
(Universidad Miguel Hernández, 2024) Bellas Arnosi, Carolina; Rodríguez Holguín, Socorro; Beranuy, Marta; Calvo, Fran; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Introduction: Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that acts as an antagonist to NMDA receptors, which play a crucial role in strengthening learning and memory. Not surprisingly, its repeated use may be associated with impaired cognitive functions. Objective: The aim of this paper is to carry out a scoping review of the scientific literature on the neurocognitive effects of recreational ketamine use. Method: A bibliographic search was conducted in PyscINFO, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science for the period 2000-2020. Eventually, 25 original articles were included in the review. Results and conclusions: The findings reveal that 1) acute ketamine use produces deficits in working memory, se- mantic memory, and episodic memory, 2) frequent ketamine use has been associated with impairment in episodic memory and possibly in learning, executive function, attention, and semantic memory, 3) people diagnosed with ketamine use disorder have deficits in visual and verbal episodic memory, working memory and attention, 4) deficits detected may improve and even be reverted after a period of abstinence.
Validation of the Spanish version of the student adaptation to college questionnaire (SACQ-50) with Peruvian students
(Taylor & Francis, 2022-11-03) Cassaretto, Mónica; Vilela, Patty; Dávila, Miguel; Páramo, María Fernanda; Rodríguez González, María Soledad; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Evolutiva e da Educación
Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the short version of the Spanish Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (SACQ-50, Spanish version). Participants: 1513 students from 14 universities in Peru, mainly females (61.5%), aged between 18 and 30 years. Method: Cross-sectional study with the questionnaire administered in person. Confirmatory factorial analysis was conducted to confirm the scale validity. Results: adequate fits were obtained for the multidimensional structure and for the second order factor of the test. Alpha and omega coefficients indicated adequate test reliability. Conclusions: The Spanish version of the SACQ-50 is a multidimensional scale displaying adequate reliability and validity. The scale may be useful for researchers and other professionals working in the university context
Neurocognitive effects of binge drinking on verbal episodic memory. An ERP study in university students
(Frontiers Media, 2023-02-07) Rodríguez Holguín, Socorro; Folgueira Ares, Rocío; Crego Barreiro, Manuel Alberto; López Caneda, Eduardo Guillermo; Corral Varela, María Montserrat; Doallo Pesado, Sonia; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía
Background: Verbal memory may be affected by engagement in alcohol binge drinking during youth, according to the findings of neuropsychological studies. However, little is known about the dynamics of the neural activity underlying this cognitive process in young, heavy drinkers. Aims: To investigate brain event-related potentials associated with cued recall from episodic memory in binge drinkers and controls. Methods: Seventy first-year university students were classified as binge drinkers (32: 17 female) or controls (38: 18 female). The participants completed a verbal paired associates learning task during electroencephalogram (EEG) recording. ERPs elicited by old and new word pairs were extracted from the cued-recall phase of the task by using Principal Component Analysis. Subjects also performed a standardized neuropsychological verbal learning test. Results: Two of the three event-related potentials components indicating old/new memory effects provided evidence for anomalies associated with binge drinking. The old/new effects were absent in the binge drinkers in the two subsequent posterior components, identified with the late parietal component and the late posterior negativity The late frontal component revealed similar old/new effects in both groups. Binge drinkers showed similar behavioural performance to controls in the verbal paired associates task, but performed poorly in the more demanding short-term cued-recall trial of a neuropsychological standardized test. Conclusion: Event-related potentials elicited during a verbal cued-recall task revealed differences in brain functioning between young binge drinkers and controls that may underlie emergent deficits in episodic memory linked to alcohol abuse. The brain activity of binge drinkers suggests alterations in the hippocampal - posterior parietal cortex circuitry subserving recognition and recollection of the cue context and generation of the solution, in relation to verbal information shallowly memorised.
Analysis of audit domains in freshman students in Spain: three cross-sectional surveys (2005, 2012 and 2016)
(MDPI, 2022) Busto Miramontes, Alicia; Moure Rodríguez, Lucía; Regueira, Alba; Varela Lema, María Leonor; Corral Varela, María Montserrat; Figueiras Guzmán, Adolfo; Caamaño Isorna, Francisco; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Evolutiva e da Educación; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psiquiatría, Radioloxía, Saúde Pública, Enfermaría e Medicina
Purpose: We aimed to evaluate changes in the frequency of drinking, alcohol dependence and alcohol-related harm in freshman college students from 2005, 2012 and 2016, and identify riskassociated factors. Method: A cross-sectional study involving 5009 freshman students was carried out in Spain in 2005, 2012 and 2016. The Dimensions of Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (frequency of drinking, symptoms of dependence and alcohol-related harm) was analysed. Adjusted relative risks (RRs) and their 95% confidence intervals were estimated using negative binomial regression. Results: Place of residence, positive expectancies and early onset of alcohol consumption continue to be crucial conditions for developing patterns of risky consumption, alcohol dependence and harm. Women and men were more vulnerable to alcohol harm and dependence when living away from home, having higher economic status and positive alcohol expectancies. Cohorts from 2012 and 2016 were at lower risk of risky alcohol consumption. Men belonging to the 2012 and 2016 cohorts were at lower risk of alcohol negative consequences compared with the 2005 cohort. However, women remained vulnerable over time to alcohol dependence and harm. Starting drinking after 16 protects them both from alcohol dependence and harm. Conclusions: Women are more vulnerable to alcohol dependence and harm in recent cohorts of freshmen. Limiting access to alcohol at a younger age and working on false positive expectancies could benefit freshmen by avoiding alcohol damage and alcohol dependence.
Cognitive status and nutritional markers in a sample of institutionalized elderly people
(MDPI, 2022) Leirós, María; Amenedo Losada, María Elena; Pazo-Álvarez, Paula; Franco, Luis; Leis Trabazo, María Rosaura; Martínez Olmos, Miguel Ángel; Arce Fernández, Constantino; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Ciencias Forenses, Anatomía Patolóxica, Xinecoloxía e Obstetricia, e Pediatría; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Social, Básica e Metodoloxía
Background: Since many of the risk factors for cognitive decline can be modified by diet, the study of nutrition and its relationships with cognitive status in aging has increased considerably in recent years. However, there are hardly any studies that have assessed cognitive status using a comprehensive set of neuropsychological tests along with measures of functional capacity and mood and that have related it to nutritional status measured from several nutritional parameters that have shown its relationships with cognitive function. Objective: To test the differences in depressive symptomatology and in several measures of nutritional status between three groups classified according to their cognitive status (CS hereafter). Method: One hundred thirteen participants from nursing homes in Galicia, Spain, underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological examination, including a general screening test (MMSE) and tests for different cognitive domains along with measures of activities of daily living (ADL) and assessment of depressive symptomatology (GDS-SF). According to established clinical criteria, participants were divided into three CS groups, Cognitively Intact (CI), Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and All-Cause Dementia (ACD). Nutritional status was also examined using blood-derived measures, body mass index (BMI) and a nutritional screening test (MNA-SF). Differences between CS groups in all nutritional variables were studied by one-way ANOVAs with post-hoc Bonferroni correction or Kruskal-Wallis with Games-Howell post-hoc correction when appropriate. Multinomial logistic regression was also applied to test the association between nutritional variables and CS. Results: Differences between CS groups were statistically significant for depressive symptomatology, vitamin A and D, albumin, selenium (Se), uric acid (UA), and BMI. The results of multinomial logistic regression found positive associations between groups with better CS and higher concentrations of vitamins A and D, transthyretin (TTR), albumin, Se, and UA, while negative associations were found for BMI. Conclusion: Higher serum levels of vitamin A, vitamin D, TTR, albumin, Se, and UA could act as protective factors against cognitive decline, whereas higher BMI could act as a risk factor.
Effects of binge drinking during adolescence and emerging adulthood on the brain: a systematic review of neuroimaging studies
(Elsevier, 2022) Pérez García, José Manuel; Suárez Suárez, Samuel; Doallo Pesado, Sonia; Cadaveira Mahía, Fernando; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía
Binge drinking (BD) is a common pattern of alcohol consumption which is generating great concern because of its deleterious consequences. We selected 33 neuroimaging studies of healthy young binge drinkers (BDs) by following PRISMA guidelines. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the relationship between BD and neurocognitive anomalies reported across magnetic resonance studies. Moreover, this work is the first in which results of relatively new imaging techniques, such as resting-state functional connectivity (RS-FC) and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI), have been reviewed using a systematic procedure. We established strict inclusion criteria in order to isolate the various potential effects of BD on the adolescent brain. Two authors independently evaluated the methodological quality, assessing different aspects related to sample size, and statistical correction methods, which are of particular importance in neuroimaging studies. BD is associated with structural and functional anomalies in several cortical and subcortical brain regions intimately involved in the control and regulation of impulsive or risky behaviours, as well as in the processing of reinforcing stimuli
Effects of persistent binge drinking on brain structure in emerging adults: a longitudinal study
(2022) Pérez García, José Manuel; Cadaveira Mahía, Fernando; Canales-Rodríguez, Erick Jorge; Suárez Suárez, Samuel; Rodríguez Holguín, Socorro; Corral Varela, María Montserrat; Blanco Ramos, Javier; Doallo Pesado, Sonia; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía
Previous cross-sectional research has largely associated binge drinking (BD) with changes in volume and thickness during adolescence and early adulthood. Nevertheless, the long-term alcohol-related effects on gray matter features in youths who had maintained a BD pattern over time have not yet been sufficiently explored. The present study aimed to assess group differences both cross-sectionally and longitudinally [using symmetric percent change (SPC)] on several structural measures (i.e., thickness, surface area, volume). For this purpose, magnetic resonance imaging was recorded twice within a 2-year interval; at baseline (18–19 years) and a follow-up (20–21 years). The sample included 44 university students who were classified as 16 stable binge drinkers (8 females) and 28 stable controls (13 females). Whole-brain analysis showed larger insular surface area in binge drinkers relative to controls at follow-up (cluster-wise p = 0.045). On the other hand, region of interest (ROI) analyses on thickness also revealed a group by sex interaction at follow-up (p = 0.005), indicating that BD males had smaller right rostral middle frontal gyrus thickness than both control males (p = 0.011) and BD females (p = 0.029). Similarly, ROI-based analysis on longitudinal data showed a group by sex interaction in the right nucleus accumbens (p = 0.009) which revealed a decreased volume across time in BD males than in control males (p = 0.007). Overall, continued BD pattern during emerging adulthood appears to lead to gray matter abnormalities in regions intimately involved in reward processing, emotional regulation and executive functions. Notably, some anomalies varied significantly depending on sex, suggesting a sex-specific impact of BD on typical neurodevelopment processes
Alcohol-related stimuli modulate functional connectivity during response inhibition in young binge drinkers
(Wiley, 2022) Blanco Ramos, Javier; Antón Toro, Luis Fernando; Cadaveira, Fernando; Doallo, Sonia; Suárez Suárez, Samuel; Rodríguez Holguín, Socorro; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía
Binge drinking is a pattern of intermittent excessive alcohol consumption that is highly prevalent in young people. Neurocognitive dual-process models have described substance abuse and adolescence risk behaviours as the result of an imbalance between an overactivated affective-automatic system (related to motivational processing) and damaged and/or immature reflective system (related to cognitive control abilities). Previous studies have evaluated the reflective system of binge drinkers (BDs) through neutral response inhibition tasks and have reported anomalies in theta (4–8 Hz) and beta (12–30 Hz) bands. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of the motivational value of alcohol-related stimuli on brain functional networks devoted to response inhibition in young BDs. Sixty eight BDs and 78 control participants performed a beverage Go/NoGo task while undergoing electrophysiological recording. Whole cortical brain functional connectivity (FC) was evaluated during successful response inhibition trials (NoGo). BDs exhibited fast-beta and theta hyperconnectivity in regions related to cognitive control. These responses were modulated differently depending on the motivational content of the stimuli. The increased salience of alcohol-related stimuli may lead to overactivation of the affective-automatic system in BDs, and compensatory neural resources of the reflective system will thus be required during response inhibition. In BDs, inhibition of the response to alcohol stimuli may require higher theta FC to facilitate integration of information related to the task goal (withholding a response), while during inhibition of the response to no-alcoholic stimuli, higher fast-beta FC would allow to apply top-down inhibitory control of the information related to the prepotent response
The Use of Non-Prescribed Prescription Drugs and Substance Use Among College Students: A 9-Year Follow-Up Cohort Study
(Frontiers Media, 2020) Busto Miramontes, Alicia; Moure Rodríguez, Lucía; Díaz Geada, Ainara; Carbia, Carina; Cadaveira Mahía, Fernando; Caamaño Isorna, Francisco; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía
The use of non-prescribed prescription drugs (NPPD) is common in post-modern societies and a significant proportion of youth consume NPPD concomitantly to other drugs. We studied the prevalence of this consumption among university students in Spain, and its relationship to different patterns of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use. A cohort study among university students (n=1,380) (2005–2015) was carried out. Students completed self-administered questionnaires at initial (n=1,363, 98.7%), at 2 years (n=875, 75%) and 9 years of follow-up (n=415, 30.5%). Consumption of medicines (last 15 days), risky alcohol consumption (RC), heavy episodic drinking (HED), and tobacco and cannabis use were measured. Multilevel logistic regressions for repeated measures were generated using consumption of medicines with or without medical prescription as dependent variables. Prevalence of RC, HED, tobacco and cannabis had significant reductions during the follow-up. The use of NPPD increased over time, from 35.5% and 33.3% at 18 and 22 years old, respectively, to 49.6% at 27 years old. The highest rates were found among cannabis, tobacco, RC and HED users. For females, cannabis and RC constitute signitifant risk factors for use of NPPD. Conversely, for males, tobacco and cannabis were risk factors for such use of medicines. Later onset of alcohol consumption constitutes a protective factor for females. Our results reveal high prevalence of NPDD among university students. Those who consume NPPD are -at the same time- more likely to be alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis users than those who take medication under prescription. Preventive strategies should be reinforced and focused on this target population to decrease these high levels of poly-consumption
Perfil cognitivo alumnado de 1º de ESO y relación con rendimiento académico
(Universidade da Coruña, 2017) Lamas López, Sabela; Guisande Couñago, María Adelina; López Gómez, Santiago; Rodríguez Álvarez, Marina; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Evolutiva e da Educación
El objetivo principal de esta investigación consiste en conocer el perfil cognitivo que presenta el alumnado de primer curso de Educación Secundaria de un centro educativo situado en Ourense (España). Además, hemos analizado su relación con las principales materias académicas que integran el currículo. Para ello, hemos seleccionado a un grupo integrado por 62 alumnos/as a los que les hemos administrado de manera colectiva la prueba de inteligencia TIDI (Test ICCE de Inteligencia) en su versión 3. Una vez que hemos obtenido los resultados de esta prueba, los hemos comparado con los resultados académicos que presentan en las principales materias
Alcohol Consumption among Freshman College Students in Spain: Individual and Pooled Analyses of Three Cross-Sectional Surveys (2005, 2012 and 2016)
(MDPI, 2021) Busto Miramontes, Alicia; Moure Rodríguez, Lucía; Mallah, Narmeen; Díaz Geada, Ainara; Corral Varela, María Montserrat; Cadaveira Mahía, Fernando; Caamaño Isorna, Francisco; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psiquiatría, Radioloxía, Saúde Pública, Enfermaría e Medicina
Objective: We aimed to evaluate changes in the prevalence of Heavy Episodic Drinking (HED) and Risky Consumption (RC) in freshman college students between 2005, 2012 and 2016; and to identify the explanatory variables of these patterns of consumption using individual and pooled analyses. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 5260 students was carried out in Spain in 2005, 2012 and 2016. HED and RC were determined using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Another questionnaire was used to measure parental education level and alcohol use, alcohol-related problems, age of onset of alcohol use and alcohol-related expectancies. Adjusted Odds Ratios (ORs) of RC and HED and their 95% Confidence Intervals were estimated using logistic regression. Results: An increase in the prevalence rates of HED and RC was observed among women during the three-study periods, nonetheless there was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence rates among men. High maternal educational level, living away from parental home, initiating drinking before the age of 15 and having positive expectancies about drinking are associated with higher prevalence of RC in both genders. High positive expectancies and early onset of alcohol use are associated with higher rates of HED among men and women. Students recruited in 2012 and 2016 are protected against RC in comparison to those recruited in 2005. Conclusions: The age of alcohol consumption onset is the most influencing factor on HED and RC for both genders in the three-study periods. Alcohol prevention campaigns targeting youth at early ages can reduce risky drinking behaviors
Event-related potentials elicited by infrequent non-target stimuli in young children of alcoholics: Family history and gender differences
(Oxford University Press, 1998) Rodríguez Holguín, Socorro; Corral Varela, María Montserrat; Cadaveira Mahía, Fernando; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía
This article analyses the visual and auditory event-related potentials (ERPs) elicited by infrequent non-target stimuli in young children with alcoholic fathers. The aim was to study the characteristics of the ERP waves specifically evoked by stimuli which capture the attention of the subject in young ones at risk for alcoholism, and to assess the effect of sample factors which can modulate these characteristics, namely family history of alcoholism and gender. There were no differences related to risk for alcoholism on the auditory ERPs. However, males and females with a multigenerational family history of alcoholism showed significant differences on visual ERP latencies, although different waves were affected for each gender. Females showed a larger latency of the visual frontal negative wave, Nc, and males showed a larger latency of the visual parietocentral P300 wave
Visual and auditory event-related potentials in young children of alcoholics from high- and low-density families
(Wiley, 1998) Rodríguez Holguín, Socorro; Corral Varela, María Montserrat; Cadaveira Mahía, Fernando; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía
Event-related potentials (ERPs), particularly the P3 wave, have been proposed as biological markers of genetic risk for alcoholism. The present study assesses the ERPs from 102 boys and girls (7 to 15 years old) divided into three groups: two groups of sons and daughters of alcoholic fathers, with and without other first- or second-degree relatives affected, and a control group of children of nonalcoholics. Both visual and auditory discrimination tasks with three stimuli (standard, target, and infrequent nontarget) were used. P3 amplitudes did not reach significant reduction for the high-risk males and were complex for females. There were significant differences among females in P3 visual latency elicited by targets; delays in this variable were associated with multigenerational familial alcoholism. Results are discussed in light of the tasks used for eliciting the ERPs and the characteristics of the selected sample
Mismatch negativity in young children of alcoholics from high-density families
(Wiley, 1998) Rodríguez Holguín, Socorro; Corral Varela, María Montserrat; Cadaveira Mahía, Fernando; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía
The mismatch negativity (MMN) component of event-related potentials was recorded from a group of young children of alcoholics (n = 19, 8 females) with a high-density family history of alcoholism and from a control group (n = 23, 12 females), between 8 and 15 years of age. A dichotic listening task was used, and subjects had to pay attention to an oddball paradigm in one ear and ignore the stimuli in the other ear. The event-related potentials elicited by the standard unattended tones were subtracted from those elicited by the infrequent deviant unattended tones, and the MMN was measured at 10 frontal and central electrodes. No group differences were observed in peak latency, peak amplitude, and mean amplitude of the MMN. These results indicated that preattentive mechanisms of mismatch detection were not impaired in young subjects at high risk for alcoholism. Results are discussed in relation to differences in electrophysiological indexes of automatic versus controlled information processing and in relation to the characteristics of the sample.

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