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Liu Y, Jia S, Meng Y, Xing M, Guan J, Jiang J, Wang H. Intimate relationships regulate female brain activity in a competitive context: evidence from EEG and functional connectivity analysis. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae276. [PMID: 38989873 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Competition is common in life, and intimate relationships are essential. Understanding how intimate relationships impact an individual's competitive process is crucial. This study explored the impact of competitor gender on female competition using electroencephalography analysis. The results revealed that females exhibited a smaller median of the absolute value of reaction time difference (DRT) between their partners and their competitors when their partners were absent compared to when their partners were present. Additionally, females showed greater average amplitudes of N2 posterior contralateral component (N2pc) and Late Positive Potential (LPP), increased activation of the alpha frequency band, and enhanced theta frequency band functional connectivity between the central parietal lobe and occipital lobe. Furthermore, when competing with individuals of the same gender as opposed to individuals of the opposite gender, females exhibited greater average amplitudes of percentage of wins and N2pc. A significant negative correlation was noted between the DRT and the average wave amplitudes of N2pc and LPP. These findings suggest that females are more engaged in competitive tasks when partners are not present and have improved decision-making when competing with same-gender individuals. This study provides evidence for the influence of lovers on female competition, helping females adapt to social competition and promoting healthy relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjie Liu
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - Shuyu Jia
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - Yujia Meng
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - Miao Xing
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - Jiaqi Guan
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - Jinru Jiang
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - He Wang
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
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Pegg S, Kujawa A. The effects of stress on reward responsiveness: a systematic review and preliminary meta-analysis of the event-related potential literature. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2024; 24:42-59. [PMID: 38093157 PMCID: PMC10872339 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-023-01143-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Exposure to stressful events is associated with a range of negative physical and mental health outcomes, including depression. It is critical to understand the mechanisms through which stress impacts mental health to identify promising targets for prevention and intervention efforts. Low-reward responsiveness is thought to be a mechanism of effects of stress on negative health outcomes and can be reliably measured at the neurophysiological level by using event-related potentials (ERPs), such as the reward positivity (RewP) component. The goal of this systematic review and preliminary meta-analysis was to examine evidence of associations between stress and alterations in reward responsiveness measured using ERPs. Through a systematic review of the literature, 23 studies examining the effects of laboratory-induced stressors and naturalistic stressors or perceived stress on reward responsiveness met study criteria, 13 of which were included in the meta-analysis. Most studies were conducted in undergraduate and community samples, with three selected for specific conditions, and primarily in adults. The systematic review supported evidence of associations between laboratory-induced stressors and blunted reward responsiveness as measured by the RewP but there were more mixed results when considering direct associations between naturalistic stressors/perceived stress and reward-related ERPs. Given that all studies examined the RewP, the meta-analysis focused on this component and indicated that there was a weak, nonsignificant negative association between stress and RewP. Results emphasize the complex nature of relations between stress and reward-related ERPs and the need to consider alternative models in future research. We also provide reporting recommendations for ERP researchers to facilitate future meta-analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Pegg
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Peabody College #552, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville, TN, 37203-5721, USA.
| | - Autumn Kujawa
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Peabody College #552, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville, TN, 37203-5721, USA
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Jia S, Meng Y, Gao Y, Ao L, Yang L, Wang H, Liu Y. The absence of one's intimate partner promotes dyadic competition through enhanced interbrain synchronization between opponents. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1298175. [PMID: 38328380 PMCID: PMC10847280 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1298175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Competition is a common occurrence in life, but the influence of intimate relationships on people's competitiveness remains unknown. Grounded in Darwin's theory of sexual selection, this study utilized EEG hyperscanning technology to investigate the influence of the presence of romantic partners and the gender of competitors on the interbrain synchronization of female individuals during competitive contexts. The research results showed that in competitive interactions, there was a significant increase in Theta and Alpha frequency band activity between females and their competitors. Interbrain synchronization was strongest when their partners were not nearby and females competed with same gender competitors. The research results indicate that intimate companionship has an impact on the early alertness and late cognitive execution mechanisms of female individuals in competition, and due to intimate relationships, females pay more attention to same-gender competitors. This study demonstrates that the presence of intimate partners can affect a female's competitive state and brain synchronization with opponents of different genders, improving the theoretical explanation of intimate relationships and competitive interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyu Jia
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China
| | - Yujia Meng
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China
| | - Lihong Ao
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China
| | - Lei Yang
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China
| | - He Wang
- School of Public Health, School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China
| | - Yingjie Liu
- School of Public Health, School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China
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Jia S, Meng Y, Wang Q, Ao L, Gao Y, Yang L, Wang H, Liu Y. Intimate Relationships Weaken Female Competition: Evidence from Phase-amplitude Coupling and Event-Related Potentials. Neuroscience 2023; 534:41-53. [PMID: 37884087 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.10.013] [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: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Competition, an essential component of social interaction, frequently occurs in daily life, and the impact of intimate relationships on women's competition has not yet been revealed. In this study, the visual target paradigm was used to explore the neural mechanisms underlying the regulation of female competitiveness by intimate relationships using event-related potential (ERP) data, time-frequency analysis, and brain functional connectivity. The research results indicate that, the P1, the N4, and the LPP were sensitive to the impact of intimate relationships on competition. Compared to competition between unfamiliar opposite-gender dyads, the average amplitudes of the N4 and LPP were higher in the late stage of competition between romantic partners. Compared to competition with strangers of the opposite gender, alpha band power was significantly higher when female individuals competed with their romantic partners. In addition, there was a positive correlation between the synchronization of activity in the frontal, parietal, and right temporal lobes of a female's brain and their degree of female engagement in competition. When a female individuals focused on the competition, activity synchronization was higher. The results indicate that competition with unfamiliar individuals of the opposite gender can make female focus on the competitive task, causing synchronous activation of corresponding brain regions. When competing with a romantic partner, women's focus decreases, their willingness to compete decreases, and the synchrony of brain functional connectivity decreases. This study suggests that intimate relationship weakens women's competitiveness, which is of significant importance for understanding high-quality intimate relationship and promoting the development of healthy competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyu Jia
- Yingjie Liu, School of Public Health, School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - Yujia Meng
- Yingjie Liu, School of Public Health, School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Yingjie Liu, School of Public Health, School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - Lihong Ao
- Yingjie Liu, School of Public Health, School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- Yingjie Liu, School of Public Health, School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - Lei Yang
- Yingjie Liu, School of Public Health, School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - He Wang
- Yingjie Liu, School of Public Health, School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - Yingjie Liu
- Yingjie Liu, School of Public Health, School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China.
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Firdaus I, Kleiboer AM, Huizink AC, Kaag AM. The Moderating Role of Sex in the Relation between Cue-Induced Craving and Resting-State Functional Connectivity in the Salience Network of Non-Clinically Diagnosed Drinkers. Eur Addict Res 2023; 29:294-304. [PMID: 37423204 PMCID: PMC10614227 DOI: 10.1159/000531090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Previous research indicates a relation between craving and increased connectivity in the resting-state salience network. However, the link between cue-induced craving and connectivity in the salience network remains unclear. Further investigation is needed to understand the effect of sex on the relationship between cue-induced craving and the salience network. We investigated the role of sex in the association between the resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) salience network and subjective cue-induced craving. METHODS Twenty-six males (mean age = 25.3) and 23 females (mean age = 26.0), with a score of 12 or higher on the alcohol use disorder identification test, were included in the current study. No significant difference in age was observed between males and females. Participants underwent a resting-state MRI scan for 6 min. Following the MRI scan, participants completed an alcohol cue-exposure task for 5.5 min to assess cue-induced craving using the desire to drink alcohol questionnaire. We applied independent component analysis methods to determine functional connectivity within the salience network. Subsequently, we investigated how cue-induced craving is related to the salience network's RSFC and if this relationship is moderated by sex. RESULTS The association between the salience network and cue-induced craving was not statistically significant nor did we find a moderating effect for sex. CONCLUSION The null findings in the study may be explained by a lack of power. Alternatively, alcohol use sex disparities may be more prevalent in the recreational/impulsive stage, whereas participants in our study were in the later stage of addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Insan Firdaus
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annet M Kleiboer
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anja C Huizink
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anne Marije Kaag
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Zhang K, Guo YC, Wang XD, Zhu YJ, Pan BX, Deng C, Yuan TF. Lateral septum inputs to nucleus accumbens mediates stress induced suppression of natural reward seeking. Pharmacol Res 2022; 184:106463. [PMID: 36162602 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Stress alters the level of reward evaluation and seeking. However, the neural circuitry mechanisms underlying stress induced effects on natural reward seeking remain unclear. Here we report a septal-accumbens pathway that mediates the effects of acute stress on reward seeking suppression. We first established the sucrose oral self-administration paradigm and measured the effects of acute stress on reward seeking behavior after 21 days of abstinence. Both forced swimming stress and foot shock stress significantly suppressed the natural reward seeking. Among a variety of brain regions, intermediolateral septum (LSi) appear as a strong stress-responsive area containing abundant c-Fos positive cells; chemogenetic inactivation of LSi reinstated the reward seeking behavior. To elucidate the downstream targets receiving LSi projections, we combined pathway-specific retro-labeling and chemogenetic manipulation to confirm the involvement of LSi-nucleus accumbens (NAc) rather than the Ventral tegmental area (VTA) in mediating the observed behavioral responses. In conclusion, the septal-accumbal projection constitute a discrete circuit dictating the stress evoked alterations on reward seeking and may implicate in treatment of stress induced anhedonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan-Chen Guo
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Wang
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Psychiatry of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying-Jie Zhu
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Drug Addiction, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bing-Xing Pan
- Institute of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Cheng Deng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China; Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Centre for Disease-Related Molecular Network, National Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610212, Sichuan, China.
| | - Ti-Fei Yuan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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7
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Qurishi R, Drenth JPH, De Jong CAJ. Premenstrual syndrome predicts alcohol craving in women with substance use disorders. Women Health 2022; 62:430-438. [DOI: 10.1080/03630242.2022.2084212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Joost P. H. Drenth
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Zhang R, Zhou X, Feng D, Yuan D, Li S, Lu C, Li X. Effects of acute psychosocial stress on interpersonal cooperation and competition in young women. Brain Cogn 2021; 151:105738. [PMID: 33915401 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2021.105738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Although tend-and-befriend is believed to be the dominant stress response in women, little is known regarding the effects of acute psychosocial stress on different dynamic social interactions. To measure these effects, 80 female participants were recruited, paired into the dyads, and instructed to complete cooperative and competitive key-pressing tasks after experiencing acute stress or a control condition. Each dyad of participants should press the key synchronously when the signal was presented in the cooperative task and as fast as possible in the competitive task. During the tasks, brain activities of prefrontal and right temporo-parietal areas were recorded from each dyad using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The results showed that acute psychosocial stress evidently promoted competitive behavior, accompanied by increased interpersonal neural synchronization (INS) in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Despite the lack of a significant difference in the overall cooperation rate, the response time difference between two stressed participants markedly declined over time with more widespread INS in the prefrontal cortex, suggesting that there ensued cooperative improvement among stressed women. These findings behaviorally and neurologically revealed context-dependent response patterns to psychosocial stress in women during dynamic social interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruqian Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Danyang Feng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Di Yuan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Shijia Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China.
| | - Chunming Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Xianchun Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
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Ma R, Mikhail ME, Culbert KM, Johnson AW, Sisk CL, Klump KL. Ovarian Hormones and Reward Processes in Palatable Food Intake and Binge Eating. Physiology (Bethesda) 2021; 35:69-78. [PMID: 31799907 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00013.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian hormones are associated with risk for binge eating in women. Recent animal and human studies suggest that food-related reward processing may be one set of neurobiological factors that contribute to these relationships, but additional studies are needed to confirm and extend findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruofan Ma
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Megan E Mikhail
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Kristen M Culbert
- Department of Psychology, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada
| | - Alex W Johnson
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Cheryl L Sisk
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Kelly L Klump
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
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10
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Warren JG, Goodwin L, Gage SH, Rose AK. The effects of menstrual cycle stage and hormonal contraception on alcohol consumption and craving: A pilot investigation. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2021; 5:100022. [PMID: 35754447 PMCID: PMC9216467 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2020.100022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and aims Although alcohol research often comments on observed sex differences (i.e. patterns of consumption), there is a lack of investigation into the reasons for these differences. For females, the regular hormonal fluctuations across the menstrual cycle are a potential influencing factor for alcohol consumption. In this pilot we aimed to investigate the relationship between menstrual cycle phase (follicular-phase [FP] and luteal-phase [LP]) and status (naturally-cycling [NC] and hormonal-contraception [HC]) on alcohol consumption and craving of casual drinkers, and identify potential influencing factors in this relationship. Methods Study One: participants (n = 28; 15 HC, 13 NC) were either NC or HC (between subject factor: hormonal status) and attended two lab-based sessions corresponding with their FP and LP (within factor: cycle phase [NC] or time [HC]). Participants completed a mock alcohol taste-test, in addition to pre- and post-consumption measures of craving, anxiety, stress, and mood. Study Two: participants (n = 262; 144 HC, 118 NC) were either NC or HC (between subject factor) and completed an online study assessing menstrual cycle phase, alcohol use, craving, impulsivity, and stress. Results Study One: A significant effect of cycle phase was found on alcohol craving (p = .019): craving was higher during the FP compared to the LP for NC participants, with HC participants showing no difference across sessions. There was no effect of phase or status on alcohol consumption, stress, or mood (ps > .05). Study Two: Regression analyses showed that age, craving, impulsivity and stress were significantly associated with alcohol consumption for NC participants (ps < .05), however only age and craving were associated with consumption for the HC participants (ps < .001). Conclusions Alcohol craving was higher during the follicular, compared to the luteal, phase for the naturally cycling group, and different factors may be associated with drinking behaviour across women who are NC and those using HC. Future alcohol research should consider the menstrual cycle and contraceptive status for females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine G. Warren
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Laura Goodwin
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, UK
- Liverpool Centre for Alcohol Research, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Suzanne H. Gage
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, UK
- Liverpool Centre for Alcohol Research, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Abigail K. Rose
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, UK
- Liverpool Centre for Alcohol Research, University of Liverpool, UK
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11
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Ambrase A, Lewis CA, Barth C, Derntl B. Influence of ovarian hormones on value-based decision-making systems: Contribution to sexual dimorphisms in mental disorders. Front Neuroendocrinol 2021; 60:100873. [PMID: 32987043 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Women and men exhibit differences in behavior when making value-based decisions. Various hypotheses have been proposed to explain these findings, stressing differences in functional lateralization of the brain, functional activation, neurotransmitter involvement and more recently, sex hormones. While a significant interaction of neurotransmitter systems and sex hormones has been shown for both sexes, decision-making in women might be particularly affected by variations of ovarian hormones. In this review we have gathered information from animal and human studies on how ovarian hormones affect decision-making processes in females by interacting with neurotransmitter systems at functionally relevant brain locations and thus modify the computation of decision aspects. We also review previous findings on impaired decision-making in animals and clinical populations with substance use disorder and depression, emphasizing how little we know about the role of ovarian hormones in aberrant decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiste Ambrase
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tuebingen, Tübingen, Germany; International Max Planck Research School for Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Carolin A Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tuebingen, Tübingen, Germany; Emotion Neuroimaging Lab, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany; International Max Planck Research School on Neuroscience of Communication: Function, Structure, and Plasticity, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Claudia Barth
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Birgit Derntl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tuebingen, Tübingen, Germany; International Max Planck Research School for Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany; TübingenNeuroCampus, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; LEAD Research School and Graduate Network, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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12
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Kujawa A, Klein DN, Pegg S, Weinberg A. Developmental trajectories to reduced activation of positive valence systems: A review of biological and environmental contributions. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2020; 43:100791. [PMID: 32510349 PMCID: PMC7225621 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2020.100791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Reduced activation of positive valence systems (PVS), including blunted neural and physiological responses to pleasant stimuli and rewards, has been shown to prospectively predict the development of psychopathology. Yet, little is known about how reduced PVS activation emerges across development or what implications it has for prevention. We review genetic, temperament, parenting, and naturalistic and laboratory stress research on neural measures of PVS and outline developmentally-informed models of trajectories of PVS activation. PVS function is partly heritable and appears to reflect individual differences in early-emerging temperament traits. Although lab-induced stressors blunt PVS activation, effects of parenting and naturalistic stress on PVS are mixed and depend on the type of stressor, developmental timing, and interactions amongst risk factors. We propose that there may be multiple, dynamic developmental trajectories to reduced PVS activation in which combinations of genes, temperament, and exposure to severe, prolonged, or uncontrollable stress may exert direct and interactive effects on PVS function. Critically, these risk factors may alter PVS developmental trajectories and/or PVS sensitivity to proximal stressors. Distinct factors may converge such that PVS activation proceeds along a typical, accelerated, chronically low, or stress-reactive trajectory. Finally, we present directions for future research with translational implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Autumn Kujawa
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville, TN 37203-5721, United States.
| | - Daniel N Klein
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY 11794-2500, United States.
| | - Samantha Pegg
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville, TN 37203-5721, United States.
| | - Anna Weinberg
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, 2001 McGill College Avenue, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1G1, Canada.
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Xu S, Wang H, Wang C. Paying out one versus paying out all trials and the decrease in behavioral and brain activity in the Balloon Analogue Risk Task. Psychophysiology 2019; 57:e13510. [DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sihua Xu
- Laboratory of Applied Brain and Cognitive Sciences Shanghai International Studies University Shanghai China
- College of International Business Shanghai International Studies University Shanghai China
| | - Hua Wang
- College of International Business Shanghai International Studies University Shanghai China
- Institute of Linguistics Shanghai International Studies University Shanghai China
| | - Cencen Wang
- College of International Business Shanghai International Studies University Shanghai China
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Kaag AM, Wiers RW, de Vries TJ, Pattij T, Goudriaan AE. Striatal alcohol cue-reactivity is stronger in male than female problem drinkers. Eur J Neurosci 2018; 50:2264-2273. [PMID: 29888821 PMCID: PMC6767856 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Despite apparent sex differences in the development and treatment of alcohol use disorder, relatively little is known about the underlying neural mechanisms. In this study, we therefore investigated neural cue-reactivity in a sample of male (n = 28) and female (n = 27) problem drinkers (matched on age and alcohol use severity) with an average alcohol use disorder identification test score of 12 which is indicative of a likely alcohol use disorder. Neural cue-reactivity data were extracted from four regions of interest: the ventral and dorsal striatum and the ventral and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. While the cue-reactivity paradigm induced similar levels of self-reported craving in men and women, visual alcohol cues induced significantly stronger striatal activation in men compared to drinkers. While sex differences in ventral striatal cue-reactivity were partly explained by sex differences in alcohol intake, cannabis use, negative affect and anxiety, this was not the case for sex differences in dorsal striatal cue-reactivity. These results suggest that alcohol cues are differentially processed by men and women and that the neurobiological mechanisms behind cue-reactivity differ between the sexes. Consequently, paradigms using alcohol-related pictures may not be optimal to induce cue-reactivity in female drinkers and may not be optimal to measure neurobiological markers of alcohol use severity and relapse. Future alcohol cue-reactivity studies should, in addition to including both men and women, include different types of cues (e.g., stressors and imagery in addition to pictures) to assess sex differences in alcohol cue-reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Marije Kaag
- Addiction Development and Psychopathology (ADAPT) Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Amsterdam Brain and Cognition, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Reinout W Wiers
- Addiction Development and Psychopathology (ADAPT) Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Amsterdam Brain and Cognition, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Taco J de Vries
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tommy Pattij
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anna E Goudriaan
- Amsterdam Brain and Cognition, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Arkin Mental Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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