Blunted ventral striatal responses to anticipated rewards foreshadow problematic drug use in novelty-seeking adolescents
Authors: Büchel Christian , Peters Jan , Banaschewski Tobias , Bokde Arun L. W. , Bromberg Uli , Conrod Patricia J. , Flor Herta , Papadopoulos Dimitri , Garavan Hugh , Gowland Penny , Heinz Andreas , Walter Henrik , Ittermann Bernd , Mann Karl , Martinot Jean-Luc , Paillère-Martinot Marie-Laure , Nees Frauke , Paus Tomas , Pausova Zdenka , Poustka Luise , Rietschel Marcella , Robbins Trevor W. , Smolka Michael N. , Gallinat Juergen , Schumann Gunter , Knutson Brian ,   the IMAGEN consortium, Arroyo Mercedes , Artiges Eric , Aydin Semiha , Bach Christine , Barbot Alexis , Barker Gareth , Bruehl Ruediger , Cattrell Anna , Constant Patrick , Crombag Hans , Czech Katharina , Dalley Jeffrey , Decideur Benjamin , Desrivieres Sylvane , Fadai Tahmine , Fauth-Buhler Mira , Feng Jianfeng , Filippi Irinia , Frouin Vincent , Fuchs Birgit , Gemmeke Isabel , Genauck Alexander , Hanratty Eanna , Heinrichs Bert , Heym Nadja , Hubner Thomas , Ihlenfeld Albrecht , Ing Alex , Ireland James , Jia Tianye , Jones Jennifer , Jurk Sarah , Kaviani Mehri , Klaassen Arno , Kruschwitz Johann , Lalanne Christophe , Lanzerath Dirk , Lathrop Mark , Lawrence Claire , Lemaitre Hervé , Macare Christine , Mallik Catherine , Mar Adam , Martinez-Medina Lourdes , Mennigen Eva , de Carvahlo Fabiana Mesquita , Mignon Xavier , Millenet Sabina , Miranda Ruben , Müller Kathrin , Nymberg Charlotte , Parchetka Caroline , Pena-Oliver Yolanda , Pentilla Jani , Poline Jean-Baptiste , Quinlan Erin Burke , Rapp Michael , Ripke Stephan , Ripley Tamzin , Robert Gabriel , Rogers John , Romanowski Alexander , Ruggeri Barbara , Schmäl Christine , Schmidt Dirk , Schneider Sophia , Schubert Florian , Schwartz Yannick , Sommer Wolfgang , Spanagel Rainer , Speiser Claudia , Spranger Tade , Stedman Alicia , Stephens Dai , Strache Nicole , Ströhle Andreas , Struve Maren , Subramaniam Naresh , Theobald David , Vetter Nora , Vulser Helene , Weiss Katharina , Whelan Robert , Williams Steve , Xu Bing , Yacubian Juliana , Yu Tao , Ziesch Veronika 
Published: February 2017

Novelty-seeking tendencies in adolescents may promote innovation as well as problematic impulsive behaviour, including drug abuse. Previous research has not clarified whether neural hyper- or hypo-responsiveness to anticipated rewards promotes vulnerability in these individuals. Here we use a longitudinal design to track 144 novelty-seeking adolescents at age 14 and 16 to determine whether neural activity in response to anticipated rewards predicts problematic drug use. We find that diminished BOLD activity in mesolimbic (ventral striatal and midbrain) and prefrontal cortical (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) regions during reward anticipation at age 14 predicts problematic drug use at age 16. Lower psychometric conscientiousness and steeper discounting of future rewards at age 14 also predicts problematic drug use at age 16, but the neural responses independently predict more variance than psychometric measures. Together, these findings suggest that diminished neural responses to anticipated rewards in novelty-seeking adolescents may increase vulnerability to future problematic drug use.