Citation

Finn PR, Ramsey SE, Earleywine M. J. Stud. Alcohol 2000; 61(1): 38-45.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, Indiana University, Bloomington 47405, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Rutgers Center of Alcohol Studies)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10627095

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the association between frontal EEG response to threat, a family history of alcoholism (positive history = FHP, negative = FHN), aggressive - antisocial traits and negative affect. METHOD: EEG in 17 FHP men and 17 FHN men was recorded while resting and while awaiting an electric shock. RESULTS: Compared with FHNs, FHPs showed significantly greater threat-induced decreases in frontal alpha, but no change in frontal beta power. FHNs had significant threat-induced increases in frontal beta power. A measure of aggressive traits, the Buss-Durkee Hostility Assault scale, was also significantly associated with greater threat-induced decreases in frontal alpha power and low reactivity to threat on frontal beta power. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that familial risk for alcoholism and aggressive traits may be associated with a paradoxical pattern of both increased reactivity (more alpha suppression) and decreased reactivity (no increase in beta power) to threat in frontal cortical regions. However, these results are preliminary and tentative due to limitations arising from the small sample size and the exploratory nature of this study.

Language: en