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Mas-Cuesta L, Baltruschat S, Cándido A, Verdejo-Lucas C, Catena-Verdejo E, Catena A. Brain changes following mindfulness: Reduced caudate volume is associated with decreased positive urgency. Behav Brain Res 2024; 461:114859. [PMID: 38216057 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.114859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Mindfulness training has been shown to improve psychological health and general well-being. However, it is unclear which brain and personality systems may be affected by this practice for improving adaptive behavior and quality of life. The present study explores the effects of a 5-week mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) at the neuroanatomical level and its relationship with dispositional mindfulness and impulsivity. Sixty-six risky drivers were quasi-randomly assigned to a mindfulness training group (MT) or a control group (N). Participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging and completed the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and the UPPS-P impulsivity scale twice, at baseline and after receiving the MBI. We observed that MBI changes dispositional mindfulness in the non-reactivity and observing facets. Further, we observed that the magnitude of change in impulsivity was associated with the change in dispositional mindfulness. Whole-brain voxel-wise analysis revealed that the volume of the right caudate nucleus of the MT group (n = 27) showed a reduction compared to that of the control group (n = 33), which increased in terms of the pre-post measurement (MT=-1.76 mm3; N = 6.31 mm3). We also observed that reduced caudate nucleus volume correlated with decreased positive urgency in the MT group. Taken together, our results show that MBI improves the skills of observing and non-reactivity to inner experience, while producing changes in the structure of the caudate nucleus. These structural changes are associated with a reduction in impulsivity levels, decreasing the tendency to act rashly in situations that generate positive emotions and thus facilitating more adaptive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Mas-Cuesta
- Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center, University of Granada, Campus de Cartuja s/n, 18011 Granada, Spain.
| | - Sabina Baltruschat
- Brain Research Imaging Centre, Cardiff University, Maindy Rd, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Antonio Cándido
- Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center, University of Granada, Campus de Cartuja s/n, 18011 Granada, Spain
| | | | | | - Andrés Catena
- School of Psychology, University of Granada, Campus de Cartuja s/n, 18011 Granada, Spain
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2
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Wardle MC, Hoots JK, Miloslavich K, Nunez C, Dios CD, Holden C, Ahluwahlia A, Green CE, Lane SD, Schmitz JM. Deficits in consummatory reward relate to severity of cocaine use. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 249:109950. [PMID: 37301068 PMCID: PMC10405525 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Identifying modifiable neuropsychological factors associated with more severe CUD could improve CUD treatment. Impairments in processing of non-drug rewards may be one such factor. This study assessed the relationship between reward functioning and cocaine use severity using multi-modal measures of three distinct reward functions: consummatory reward (pleasure or "liking"); motivational reward ("wanting") and reward learning. METHODS Fifty-three adults with at least moderate CUD completed self-report and behavioral measures of consummatory reward, motivational reward and reward learning, and a composite cocaine use severity measure including quantity, frequency and life impacts of cocaine use. We conducted parallel Frequentist and Bayesian multiple regressions with measures of reward functioning as predictors of cocaine use severity. RESULTS Less self-reported ability to experience pleasure, a hypothesized measure of consummatory reward, significantly predicted greater severity after adjustment for covariates and multiple hypothesis testing, β = 0.39, t(38) = 2.86, p = 0.007. Bayesian analyses confirmed a highly likely association between severity and ability to experience pleasure, and provided moderate evidence for associations with willingness to exert effort and reward learning. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that less experience of subjective pleasure is related to greater cocaine use severity. This cross-sectional study cannot establish whether differences in consummatory reward are pre-existing, a result of CUD, or both. However, these results suggest interventions focused on increasing subjective pleasure, such as mindful "savoring", should be investigated for CUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret C Wardle
- Psychology Department, University of Illinois Chicago, 1007 W. Harrison St, Chicago, IL60607, United States.
| | - Jennifer K Hoots
- Psychology Department, University of Illinois Chicago, 1007 W. Harrison St, Chicago, IL60607, United States
| | - Krista Miloslavich
- Psychology Department, University of Illinois Chicago, 1007 W. Harrison St, Chicago, IL60607, United States
| | - Cecilia Nunez
- Psychology Department, University of Illinois Chicago, 1007 W. Harrison St, Chicago, IL60607, United States
| | - Constanza de Dios
- Louis A. Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 1941 East Rd, Houston, TX77054, United States
| | - Christopher Holden
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System, 1740 W. Taylor St, Chicago, IL60612, United States
| | - Aneet Ahluwahlia
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System, 1740 W. Taylor St, Chicago, IL60612, United States
| | - Charles E Green
- Louis A. Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 1941 East Rd, Houston, TX77054, United States
| | - Scott D Lane
- Louis A. Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 1941 East Rd, Houston, TX77054, United States
| | - Joy M Schmitz
- Louis A. Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 1941 East Rd, Houston, TX77054, United States
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Yang W, Zhang M, Tang F, Du Y, Fan L, Luo J, Yan C, Wang S, Zhang J, Yuan K, Liu J. Recovery of superior frontal gyrus cortical thickness and resting-state functional connectivity in abstinent heroin users after 8 months of follow-up. Hum Brain Mapp 2022; 43:3164-3175. [PMID: 35324057 PMCID: PMC9188969 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Compared with healthy controls, heroin users (HUs) show evidence of structural and functional brain alterations. However, little is known about the possibility of brain recovery after protracted heroin abstinence. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether brain recovery is possible after protracted abstinence in HUs. A total of 108 subjects with heroin addiction completed structural and functional scans, and 61 of those subjects completed 8-month follow-up scans. Resting-state data and 3D-T1 MR images were collected for all participants, first at baseline and again after 8 months. Cognitive function and craving were measured by the Trail Making Test-A (TMT-A) and Visual Analog Scale for Craving, respectively. The cortical thickness and resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) differences were then analyzed and compared between baseline and follow-up, and correlations were obtained between neuroimaging and behavioral changes. HUs demonstrated improved cognition (shorter TMT-A time) and reduced craving at the follow-up (HU2) relative to baseline (HU1), and the cortical thickness in the bilateral superior frontal gyrus (SFG) was significantly greater at HU2 than at HU1. Additionally, the RSFC of the left SFG with the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), insula, and nucleus accumbens and that of the right SFG with the IFG, insula and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) were increased at HU2. The changes in TMT-A time were negatively correlated with the RSFC changes between the left SFG and the bilateral IFG, the bilateral caudate, and the right insula. The changes in craving were negatively correlated with the RSFC changes between the left OFC and the bilateral SFG. Our results demonstrated that impaired frontal-limbic neurocircuitry can be partially restored, which might enable improved cognition as well as reduced craving in substance-abusing individuals. We provided novel scientific evidence for the partial recovery of brain circuits implicated in cognition and craving after protracted abstinence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhan Yang
- Department of Radiology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Min Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China.,Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuroimaging, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, China
| | - Fei Tang
- Department of Radiology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yanyao Du
- Department of Radiology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Li Fan
- Department of Radiology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jing Luo
- Department of Radiology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Cui Yan
- Department of Radiology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shicong Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China.,Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuroimaging, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Hunan Judicial Police Academy, Changsha, China
| | - Kai Yuan
- School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China.,Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuroimaging, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, China.,Xi'an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Regulation of Trans-Scale Life Information, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China.,Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Pattern Recognition and Intelligent Image Processing, School of Information Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Radiology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
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Pernet CR, Belov N, Delorme A, Zammit A. Mindfulness related changes in grey matter: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Brain Imaging Behav 2021; 15:2720-2730. [PMID: 33624219 PMCID: PMC8500886 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-021-00453-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Knowing target regions undergoing strfuncti changes caused by behavioural interventions is paramount in evaluating the effectiveness of such practices. Here, using a systematic review approach, we identified 25 peer-reviewed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies demonstrating grey matter changes related to mindfulness meditation. An activation likelihood estimation (ALE) analysis (n = 16) revealed the right anterior ventral insula as the only significant region with consistent effect across studies, whilst an additional functional connectivity analysis indicates that both left and right insulae, and the anterior cingulate gyrus with adjacent paracingulate gyri should also be considered in future studies. Statistical meta-analyses suggest medium to strong effect sizes from Cohen’s d ~ 0.8 in the right insula to ~ 1 using maxima across the whole brain. The systematic review revealed design issues with selection, information, attrition and confirmation biases, in addition to weak statistical power. In conclusion, our analyses show that mindfulness meditation practice does induce grey matter changes but also that improvements in methodology are needed to establish mindfulness as a therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyril R Pernet
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, Edinburgh Imaging, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Nikolai Belov
- Department of Psychology, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Arnaud Delorme
- CerCo, CNRS, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France.,SCCN, INC, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alison Zammit
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, Edinburgh Imaging, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Stewart JL, May AC, Paulus MP. Bouncing back: Brain rehabilitation amid opioid and stimulant epidemics. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2019; 24:102068. [PMID: 31795056 PMCID: PMC6978215 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2019.102068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Frontoparietal event related potentials predict/track recovery. Frontostriatal functional magnetic resonance imaging signals predict/track recovery. Transcranial magnetic left prefrontal stimulation reduces craving and drug use.
Recent methamphetamine and opioid use epidemics are a major public health concern. Chronic stimulant and opioid use are characterized by significant psychosocial, physical and mental health costs, repeated relapse, and heightened risk of early death. Neuroimaging research highlights deficits in brain processes and circuitry that are linked to responsivity to drug cues over natural rewards as well as suboptimal goal-directed decision-making. Despite the need for interventions, little is known about (1) how the brain changes with prolonged abstinence or as a function of various treatments; and (2) how symptoms change as a result of neuromodulation. This review focuses on the question: What do we know about changes in brain function during recovery from opioids and stimulants such as methamphetamine and cocaine? We provide a detailed overview and critique of published research employing a wide array of neuroimaging methods – functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalography, event-related potentials, diffusion tensor imaging, and multiple brain stimulation technologies along with neurofeedback – to track or induce changes in drug craving, abstinence, and treatment success in stimulant and opioid users. Despite the surge of methamphetamine and opioid use in recent years, most of the research on neuroimaging techniques for recovery focuses on cocaine use. This review highlights two main findings: (1) interventions can lead to improvements in brain function, particularly in frontal regions implicated in goal-directed behavior and cognitive control, paired with reduced drug urges/craving; and (2) the targeting of striatal mechanisms implicated in drug reward may not be as cost-effective as prefrontal mechanisms, given that deep brain stimulation methods require surgery and months of intervention to produce effects. Overall, more studies are needed to replicate and confirm findings, particularly for individuals with opioid and methamphetamine use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Stewart
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, United States; Department of Community Medicine, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, United States.
| | - April C May
- San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Martin P Paulus
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, United States; Department of Community Medicine, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, United States
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Stewart JL, May AC, Aupperle RL, Bodurka J. Forging Neuroimaging Targets for Recovery in Opioid Use Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:117. [PMID: 30899231 PMCID: PMC6417368 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The United States is in the midst of an opioid epidemic and lacks a range of successful interventions to reduce this public health burden. Many individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) consume drugs to relieve physical and/or emotional pain, a pattern that may increasingly result in death. The field of addiction research lacks a comprehensive understanding of physiological and neural mechanisms instantiating this cycle of Negative Reinforcement in OUD, resulting in limited interventions that successfully promote abstinence and recovery. Given the urgency of the opioid crisis, the present review highlights faulty brain circuitry and processes associated with OUD within the context of the Three-Stage Model of Addiction (1). This model underscores Negative Reinforcement processes as crucial to the maintenance and exacerbation of chronic substance use together with Binge/Intoxication and Preoccupation/Anticipation processes. This review focuses on cross-sectional as well as longitudinal studies of relapse and treatment outcome that employ magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRs), brain stimulation methods, and/or electroencephalography (EEG) explored in frequency and time domains (the latter measured by event-related potentials, or ERPs). We discuss strengths and limitations of this neuroimaging work with respect to study design and individual differences that may influence interpretation of findings (e.g., opioid use chronicity/recency, comorbid symptoms, and biological sex). Lastly, we translate gaps in the OUD literature, particularly with respect to Negative Reinforcement processes, into future research directions involving operant and classical conditioning involving aversion/stress. Overall, opioid-related stimuli may lessen their hold on frontocingulate mechanisms implicated in Preoccupation/Anticipation as a function of prolonged abstinence and that degree of frontocingulate impairment may predict treatment outcome. In addition, longitudinal studies suggest that brain stimulation/drug treatments and prolonged abstinence can change brain responses during Negative Reinforcement and Preoccupation/Anticipation to reduce salience of drug cues, which may attenuate further craving and relapse. Incorporating this neuroscience-derived knowledge with the Three-Stage Model of Addiction may offer a useful plan for delineating specific neurobiological targets for OUD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Stewart
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, United States.,Department of Community Medicine, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, United States
| | - April C May
- Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Robin L Aupperle
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, United States.,Department of Community Medicine, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, United States
| | - Jerzy Bodurka
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, United States
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