2004), a smaller amygdala response when perceiving fearful faces (Glahn, Lovallo, & Fox, 2007), smaller frontal and temporal responses when inferring others’ emotional states (Hill et al., 2007), and a larger response in the anterior cingulate and caudate during simulated gambling (Acheson et al., 2009). Bjork et al. (2008) used a monetary incentive task in adolescents with and without a family history of alcoholism (all of whom were healthy), but found no substantial differences between the groups in reward-related activation. While a number of studies have examined the human cerebral response to alcohol-related cues, particularly in alcoholics (e.g., Bragulat et al., 2008; Filbey et al., 2008b; Kareken et al., 2004; Myrick et al., 2008; Tapert et al., 2004; Wrase et al., 2007), very little research shows how familial alcoholism affects the brain response to alcohol-related cues— particularly in at-risk individuals who have yet to become dependent. In the closest study, Tapert et al. (2003) reported as a secondary finding greater frontal responses to pictures of alcoholic drinks in both control and alcohol use disordered teens (both dependent and abusive drinkers) with family histories of alcoholism when compared to those without such a family history.
