Using a data science approach to predict cocaine use frequency from depressive symptoms

Disrupted dynamic brain functional connectivity in male cocaine use disorder: Hyperconnectivity, strongly-connected state tendency, and links to impulsivity and borderline traits

Cocaine use is a major public health problem with serious negative consequences at both the individual and societal levels. Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is associated with cognitive and emotional impairments, often manifesting as alterations in brain functional connectivity (FC). This study employed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) to examine dynamic FC in 38 male participants with CUD and 31 matched healthy controls. Using group spatial independent component analysis (group ICA) combined with sliding window approach, we identified two recurring distinct connectivity states: the strongly-connected state (state 1) and weakly-connected state (state 2). CUD patients exhibited significant increased mean dwell and fraction time in state 1, and increased transitions from state 2 to state 1, demonstrated significant strongly-connected state tendency. Our analysis revealed abnormal FC patterns that are state-dependent and state-shared in CUD patients. This study observed hyperconnectivity within the default mode network (DMN) and between DMN and other networks, which varied depending on the state. Furthermore, after adjustment for multiple comparisons, we found significant correlations between these altered dynamic FCs and clinical measures of impulsivity and borderline personality disorder. The disrupted FC and repetitive effects of precuneus and angular gyrus across correlations suggested that they might be the important hub of neural circuits related behaviorally and mentally in CUD. In summary, our study highlighted the potential of these disrupted FC as neuroimaging biomarkers and therapeutic targets, and provided new insights into the understanding of the neurophysiologic mechanisms of CUD.

A narrative systematic review of associations and temporality between use of methamphetamine, ecstasy/MDMA, or cocaine with anxiety or depressive symptoms

OBJECTIVE

Anxiety and depression are prevalent mental health problems in people who use illicit stimulants. Improved understanding of the temporal relationship between methamphetamine, ecstasy/MDMA, or cocaine use with anxiety or depression informs public health interventions and treatment options for those experiencing this co-occurrence. This narrative systematic review sought to examine associations and temporality between the use of methamphetamine, ecstasy/MDMA, or cocaine, with anxiety or depressive symptoms. Method Systematic searches of 4 electronic databases were conducted up to August 2023. Study eligibility included the measurement of anxiety and/or depressive symptoms, and frequency of illicit stimulant use (methamphetamine, cocaine, or ecstasy/MDMA) at two separate time points, with data analysis of the association between these variables. The Joanna Briggs Critical Appraisal Checklist was utilised to assess quality. Data was extracted, and a narrative synthesis incorporating an eight-criteria framework to assess associations was conducted. Results 4432 studies were screened for eligibility; 11 studies (3 RCTs and 8 prospective cohort studies) were included. Evidence for an association between depressive symptoms and methamphetamine use was demonstrated in six studies, with temporal evidence in three studies supporting methamphetamine use preceding depressive symptoms. Three studies reported an association between cocaine use and depressive symptoms. Evidence for associations with any of the illicit stimulants and anxiety symptoms was lacking.

CONCLUSIONS

There was some evidence to support a case for temporality, particularly for methamphetamine use and depressive symptoms. Investing in longitudinal studies is pivotal to understanding the dynamic and reciprocal relationship between illicit stimulant use and anxiety or depressive symptoms. A limitation of the study was the variation in the measurement and analysis of outcomes.

Deficits in consummatory reward relate to severity of cocaine use

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.

Data science education programmes in Middle Eastern institutions: A survey study

In response to the current trends in dealing with data in academia, various research institutions and commercial entities around the world are building new programmes to fill the gaps in workforce demand in specific disciplines, including data curation, big data, data management, data science and data analytics. Thus, the aim of the present study was to reveal the reality of data science education in the Middle East and to determine the opportunities and challenges for teaching data science in the region. Thirteen countries in the Middle East were offering 48 data science programmes at the time of the study. The results reveal that these data science programmes significantly use the words ‘data’ and ‘analytics’ in their names. With regard to the academic affiliations of the data science programmes, the study found that they are offered in a variety of schools, especially computer science, information technology and business. Moreover, the study found that computer science is the dominant trend in the programmes. Data science programmes have a significant overlap with other programmes, especially statistics and computer science, because of the interdisciplinary nature of this field. Data science schools in the Middle East differ in terms of their programme titles, programme descriptions, course catalogues, curriculum structures and course objectives. Broadly, this study may be useful for those who are seeking to establish a data science programme or to strengthen data science curricula at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Cognitive and emotional predictors of real versus sham repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment response in methamphetamine use disorder

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) can effectively reduce cravings in methamphetamine use disorder (MUD). However, a considerable group still fails to respond. Cognitive and emotional disturbance, as well as impulsive features, are widespread in patients with MUD and might mediate the treatment response of rTMS. The purpose of this study is to figure out whether these variables can help predicting patients' responses to rTMS treatment.

METHODS

Ninety-seven patients with severe MUD and thirty-one gender- and age-matched healthy subjects were included. Patients were randomized to receive 20 sessions of real or sham rTMS. Intermittent theta burst protocols (iTBS) or sham iTBS were applied every weekday over the DLPFC for 20 daily sessions. Both groups received regular treatment. Craving induced by drug-related cue was measured before and after stimulation. Cognition was evaluated by using the CogState Battery. Baseline characteristics were collected through the Addiction Severity Index, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, General Anxiety Disorder Scale-7, and Barrett Impulsivity Scale-11.

RESULTS

Results showed that patients with MUD have worse spatial working memory, problem-solving ability, as well as depression and anxiety symptoms compared with healthy controls. Cognition and emotion differed between responders (craving decrease ≥60%) and non-responders in real rTMS group but not in the sham group. Better cognitive and emotional functions means that patients have higher possibility for better response to real rTMS treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that cognitive, emotional and impulsive features could be used to predict the prospective treatment responses of rTMS in patients with MUD.