Lower prefrontal cortical volume in AUD may be implicated in the observed poorer performance on neuropsychological tests and cognitive functions involving these regions (De Rosa et al., 2004, Fassbender et al., 2004). However, it has also been suggested that executive function and frontal lobe volume deficits were associated in at-risk (Family history of AUD) individuals, while spatial and memory related deficits and temporoparietal volume deficits were associated as a consequence of alcohol use (Squeglia et al., 2014a, Squeglia et al., 2014b). Therefore, the differential effects of familial risk and heavy alcohol use on the prefrontal cortical volume must be accounted for to examine potential cause/s of smaller prefrontal cortical volume in AUD.
