| The key objective of our proposal is to examine the role of endophenotypes that explain individual resilience and vulnerability to early onset of substance use and the transition to regular use.The current proposal aims to investigate, within a population-based sample of adolescents -enriched with a high-risk sample - the following research questions:1) Which endophenotypic characteristics are related to early onset use of nicotine, alcohol and cannabis? 2) Which endophenotypic characteristics are related to the transition from initiation of substance use to regular use of nicotine, alcohol and cannabis in adolescence?3) Are these endophenotypic characteristics related to common and specific DNA polymorphisms?In the present study, the following endophenotypic characteristics will be examined: Representing reduced cognitive functions associated with behavioural disinhibition: (a) CNS inhibition, indexed by the P3 components of the ERP;(b) Reward-associated decision-making abilities.Representing individual differences in stress physiological responses:(c) Reactivity to stress of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis);(d) Reactivity to stress of the autonomic nervous system (ANS).Various interrelations among endophenotypic characteristics of each pathway, and between pathways, and between genotype and endophenotype will be examined to test their predictive value for substance use. |
