A multi-method meta-analysis of neuro-behavioral motor inhibition outcomes across substance-use problems and related developmental psychopathological conditions: a self-regulation approach

Objectives: Alterations in motor inhibition (MI) may be involved in the homotypic and heterotypic developmental pathways of substance use disorders (SUDs) and related conditions (e.g., binge drinking). However, no studies have clarified the neuro-behavioral correlates of MI across the various conditions (e.g., ADHD and major depressive disorder in childhood/adolescence) constituting developmental trajectories of SUDs and related problems, especially within a self-regulation conceptual framework. Method: A multi-method meta-analysis (i.e., voxel-based, network, and multi-level) of MI tasks (i.e., Go/No-Go; Stop Signal) was conducted. Neuroimaging (fMRI) and event-related potential (ERP) data were analyzed. The study included children and adolescents with ADHD, adolescents with major depressive disorder, and subjects with SUDs and related conditions. Results: Sixty-eight studies (fMRI: 42; ERPs: 26) were included. The analysis showed a shared increased responsiveness of the rostral anterior cingulate cortex among conditions of interest during “No-Go” trials compared to healthy controls (HCs). Reduced N200/P300 waves, together with increased reaction times in response to MI task experimental conditions, were found among conditions of interest compared to HCs. Network meta-analysis results showed that distinct patterns of neural activity linked to different self-regulation domains differentiated these clinical conditions from one another. Conclusions: Common and distinct patterns of neuro-behavioral responses associated with self-regulation mechanisms, especially regarding MI, should be considered key latent dimensions involved in the homotypic and heterotypic developmental pathways of SUDs and related problems. Key words: substance-related disorders, developmental pathways, homotypic and heterotypic continuity, motor inhibition, self-regulation