Physiological Response to Reward and Extinction Predicts Alcohol, Marijuana, and Cigarette Use Two Years Later (original) (raw)

• Karen J. Derefinko, University of Tennessee Health Science Center
• Tory A. Eisenlohr-Moul, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Jessica R. Peters, University of Kentucky
• Walter Roberts, University of Kentucky
• Erin C. Walsh, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Richard Milich, University of Kentucky
• Donald R. Lynam, Purdue UniversityFollow

Abstract

Background: Physiological responses to reward and extinction are believed to represent the behavioral activation system (BAS) and behavioral inhibition system (BIS) constructs of Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory and underlie externalizing behaviors, including substance use. However, little research has examined these relations directly. Methods: We assessed individuals’ cardiac pre-ejection periods (PEP) and electrodermal responses (EDR) during reward and extinction trials through the “number elimination game” paradigm. Responses represented BAS and BIS, respectively. We then examined whether these responses provided incremental utility in the prediction of future alcohol, marijuana, and cigarette use. Results: Zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) regression models were used to examine the predictive utility of physiological BAS and BIS responses above and beyond previous substance use. Physiological responses accounted for incremental variance over previous use. Low BAS responses during reward predicted frequency of alcohol use at year 3. Low BAS responses during reward and extinction and high BIS responses during extinction predicted frequency of marijuana use at year 3. For cigarette use, low BAS response during extinction predicted use at year 3. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the constructs of Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory, as assessed through physiology, contribute to the longitudinal maintenance of substance use.

Keywords

Physiology, RST, Substance use, Pre-ejection period, EDR

Date of this Version

1-26-2016

Recommended Citation

Derefinko, Karen J.; Eisenlohr-Moul, Tory A.; Peters, Jessica R.; Roberts, Walter; Walsh, Erin C.; Milich, Richard; and Lynam, Donald R., "Physiological Response to Reward and Extinction Predicts Alcohol, Marijuana, and Cigarette Use Two Years Later" (2016). Department of Psychological Sciences Faculty Publications. Paper 82.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/psychpubs/82

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