Eine Studie an 10.000 Jugendlichen ergab, dass Unterschiede in der Gehirnstruktur mit dem frühen Substanzkonsum zusammenhängen. Viele Unterschiede schienen bereits vor dem Substanzkonsum zu bestehen, was darauf hindeutet, welche Rolle die Gehirnstruktur beim Substanzkonsumrisiko spielen könnte
https://nida.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/2024/12/brain-structure-differences-are-associated-with-early-use-of-substances-among-adolescents
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A study of nearly 10,000 adolescents funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has identified distinct differences in the brain structures of those who used substances before age 15 compared to those who did not. Many of these structural brain differences appeared to exist in childhood before any substance use, suggesting they may play a role in the risk of substance use initiation later in life, in tandem with genetic, environmental, and other neurological factors.
“This adds to some emerging evidence that an individual’s brain structure, alongside their unique genetics, environmental exposures, and interactions among these factors, may impact their level of risk and resilience for substance use and addiction,” said Nora Volkow M.D., director of NIDA. “Understanding the complex interplay between the factors that contribute and that protect against drug use is crucial for informing effective prevention interventions and providing support for those who may be most vulnerable.”
Among the 3,460 adolescents who initiated substances before age 15, most (90.2%) reported trying alcohol, with considerable overlap with nicotine and/or cannabis use; 61.5% and 52.4% of kids initiating nicotine and cannabis, respectively, also reported initiating alcohol. Substance initiation was associated with a variety of brain-wide (global) as well as more regional structural differences primarily involving the cortex, some of which were substance-specific. While these data could someday help inform clinical prevention strategies, the researchers emphasize that brain structure alone cannot predict substance use during adolescence, and that these data should not be used as a diagnostic tool
[https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2828520](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2828520)
ADHD is a good example. The prefrontal cortex is different in ADHD brains as well as certain neurotransmitters. The rate of substance abuse is about 15% in ADHD people compared to about 5% in the rest of the population. Its probably because of lower dopamine levels paired with a weaker prefrontal cortex (impulse control) and a overall urge for Instant gradification as well as escapism because of higher depression rates