Currently, only a few studies have examined functional brain activity to drug or alcohol related stimuli (i.e. pictures of alcohol) in adolescents 114, although this is an area of future research (see 115). Studies of high-risk populations (e.g. familial load of alcohol dependence) suggest impairments in frontal functioning are apparent prior to drug use exposure (e.g. 116, 117) and can predict later substance use 118, 119. However, in an early behavioral study of the effects of alcohol in 8 to 15 year old boys of low and high familial risk 120, the most significant finding was little if any behavioral change or problem on tests of intoxication -even after given doses which had been intoxicating in an adult population were observed. These neurotoxic effects together with increased sensitivity to the motivational effects of alcohol and evidence of poorer top down prefrontal control apparent even prior to drug use exposure 116 may set up a long-term course of alcohol and drug abuse well beyond adolescence 118, 119.
