The cross-sectional nature of the majority of studies examining adolescent neurocognitive functioning makes it difficult to determine the influence of alcohol and drug use on adolescent neurocognition. Therefore, ongoing longitudinal neuroimaging studies are essential to ascertain the degree to which substance intake is linked temporally to adverse changes on indices of brain integrity, or whether neural abnormalities reflect pre-existing patterns. In cross-sectional or longitudinal work, several methodological features are critical to evaluate the potential influence of adolescent substance use on neurocognition. These issues pertain to ensuring participant compliance, accurately assessing potential confounds, and maximizing participant follow-up.
