Executive function and impulsivity as predictors of alcohol/cannabis co-use in adolescence: a longitudinal study

The overall goal of this K01 proposal is to examine cognitive, behavioral, and brain-based markers of self- regulation as predictors of cannabis and alcohol co-use in adolescence. Between 2-6% of early adolescents aged 13-14 years report cannabis and alcohol co-use, and co-use is associated with more adverse outcomes (e.g., engaging in high-risk behaviors) compared to single-drug use. Problems with self-regulation have been linked to alcohol and cannabis use individually, but less is known about self-regulatory vulnerabilities in the context of future adolescent cannabis and alcohol co-use. To address this gap, Dr. Goncalves proposes to study two drivers of reduced self-regulation: lower executive functioning, and high impulsivity, prior to the onset of alcohol and substance use in two extensive population studies (1- Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism [COGA], 2- the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development [ABCD]) and through collecting pilot data using an ongoing multigeneration family study (MFS). This proposal will evaluate self-regulation markers (using cognitive tasks, behavioral scales, and structural neuroimaging measures) prior to the onset of use in late childhood and adolescence. Aim 1 will investigate this question using the COGA study, in which self-regulation was assessed at ages 12-16, cannabis and alcohol use at ages 16-20, and cannabis/alcohol use disorders at ages 20-24. Aim 2 will test this question in the ABCD study, where self-regulation (i.e., cognitive tasks and cortical thickness) was assessed at ages 9-10 years, and cannabis and alcohol use and co-use starting at ages 13-14 years. Aim 3 will test this question in MFS, where self-regulation was previously assessed at ages 6-12 years, and Dr Goncalves will collect data on use, co-use and risk perception associated with cannabis and alcohol co-use at 12-18 years. This multi-study proposal will allow testing of how impairments in self-regulation and abnormalities in frontal cortical thickness (prior to any substance use) are associated with future cannabis and alcohol use and co-use and their associated disorders. These results will inform an R01 application, focusing on examining risk and resilience factors for cannabis and alcohol co-use and co-occurring cannabis and alcohol use disorders when the ABCD participants are ages 17-18. Finally, findings of the proposed K01 project will inform the development of an R21 application focused on a pilot intervention for polysubstance in adolescents. In addition to answering the above research questions, this project will serve as a training vehicle for Dr. Goncalves, providing her advanced training in self-regulation development, frontal cortical thickness development in late childhood and adolescence, and development and operationalization of pilot data collection on an adolescent sample. The training plan builds on the candidate's prior clinical experience, and capitalizes on a stellar mentorship team and research environment to foster Dr. Goncalves' development. This K01 proposal will fulfill Dr. Goncalves' training needs, enable her transition to being an independent Latina researcher, and ensure that she becomes a leading expert in adolescent neurocognitive development and polysubstance use.