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Leclercq S. Involvement of the gut microbiome-brain axis in alcohol use disorder. Alcohol Alcohol 2024; 59:agae050. [PMID: 39042929 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agae050] [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: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The human intestine is colonized by a variety of microorganisms that influence the immune system, the metabolic response, and the nervous system, with consequences for brain function and behavior. Unbalance in this microbial ecosystem has been shown to be associated with psychiatric disorders, and altered gut microbiome composition related to bacteria, viruses, and fungi has been well established in patients with alcohol use disorder. This review describes the gut microbiome-brain communication pathways, including the ones related to the vagus nerve, the inflammatory cytokines, and the gut-derived metabolites. Finally, the potential benefits of microbiota-based therapies for the management of alcohol use disorder, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation, are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Leclercq
- Laboratory of Nutritional Psychiatry, Institute of Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
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2
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Leclercq S, de Timary P. Role of the Microbiome and the Gut-Brain Axis in Alcohol Use Disorder: Potential Implication for Treatment Development. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2024. [PMID: 38914878 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2024_478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
The gut microbiota is constituted by trillions of microorganisms colonizing the human intestine. Studies conducted in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) have shown altered microbial composition related to bacteria, viruses, and fungi.This review describes the communication pathways between the gut and the brain, including the ones related to the bacterial metabolites, the inflammatory cytokines, and the vagus nerve. We described in more detail the gut-derived metabolites that have been shown to be implicated in AUD or that could potentially be involved in the development of AUD due to their immune and/or neuroactive properties, including tryptophan-derivatives, tyrosine-derivatives, short chain fatty acids.Finally, we discussed the potential beneficial effects of microbiome-based therapies for AUD such as probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotic, and phage therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Leclercq
- Laboratory of Nutritional Psychiatry, Institute of Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Philippe de Timary
- Department of Adult Psychiatry, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium.
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Schmid F, Henry A, Benzerouk F, Barrière S, Gondrexon J, Kaladjian A, Gierski F. Patterns of executive functions and theory of mind in adults with a family history of alcohol use disorder: Combined group and single-case analyses. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 48:362-374. [PMID: 38243915 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impairments in executive function and social cognition are highly prevalent in individuals with an alcohol use disorder (AUD). Some studies show that similar difficulties are displayed by individuals with a positive family history of AUD (FH+) compared with individuals with a negative family history (FH-). Yet, no studies have jointly investigated cognitive and affective theory of mind at the behavioral level. Moreover, some studies show preserved executive and socioemotional functioning in FH+ participants. One possible explanation for these divergent results is that FH+ individuals are cognitively heterogeneous. In this study, we examined the frequency and co-occurrence of difficulties in executive function and social cognition among FH+ individuals at the individual level. METHODS Sixty FH+ and 60 FH- participants matched on age, sex, and education level were included. They completed tasks assessing executive functions (Stroop, Trail Making Test) and affective and cognitive theory of mind (Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition). They also completed self-report questionnaires measuring impulsivity, alexithymia, and empathy. Single-case analyses assessed the proportion of FH+ participants with difficulties in executive function and/or theory of mind. RESULTS FH+ individuals exhibited difficulties in response inhibition and made more errors during theory of mind processing, indicating an absence of mental state representation, compared with FH- individuals. In the FH+ sample, 53.33% had executive function and/or theory of mind difficulties. Those with lower theory of mind scores reported higher alexithymia and lower empathy on self-report measures. CONCLUSIONS FH+ individuals display heterogeneous executive function and theory of mind abilities. Given that they mostly occur independently of one another, executive function and theory of mind difficulties may be distinct vulnerability markers in AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Schmid
- Laboratoire Cognition, Santé, Société (C2S - EA 6291), University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
| | - A Henry
- Laboratoire Cognition, Santé, Société (C2S - EA 6291), University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
- Psychiatry Department, Marne Public Mental Health Institute & Reims University Hospital, Reims, France
| | - F Benzerouk
- Laboratoire Cognition, Santé, Société (C2S - EA 6291), University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
- Psychiatry Department, Marne Public Mental Health Institute & Reims University Hospital, Reims, France
- INSERM U1247, Research Group on Alcohol and Dependences, University of Picardy Jules Verne, Amiens, France
| | - S Barrière
- Psychiatry Department, Marne Public Mental Health Institute & Reims University Hospital, Reims, France
| | - J Gondrexon
- Psychiatry Department, Marne Public Mental Health Institute & Reims University Hospital, Reims, France
| | - A Kaladjian
- Laboratoire Cognition, Santé, Société (C2S - EA 6291), University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
- Psychiatry Department, Marne Public Mental Health Institute & Reims University Hospital, Reims, France
| | - F Gierski
- Laboratoire Cognition, Santé, Société (C2S - EA 6291), University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
- Psychiatry Department, Marne Public Mental Health Institute & Reims University Hospital, Reims, France
- INSERM U1247, Research Group on Alcohol and Dependences, University of Picardy Jules Verne, Amiens, France
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Petit G, Leclercq S, Quoilin C, Poncin M, Starkel P, Maurage P, Rolland B, Dricot L, De Timary P. Links between psychopathological symptoms and cortical thickness in men with severe alcohol use disorder: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging study. Neuropsychopharmacol Rep 2023; 43:513-520. [PMID: 37013368 PMCID: PMC10739149 DOI: 10.1002/npr2.12331] [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: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anxiety and depression are psychopathological states frequently co-occurring with severe alcohol use disorder (SAUD). These symptoms generally disappear with abstinence but may persist in some patients, increasing the relapse risk. METHODS The cerebral cortex thickness of 94 male patients with SAUD was correlated with symptoms of depression and anxiety, both measured at the end (2-3 weeks) of the detoxification treatment. Cortical measures were obtained using surface-based morphometry implemented with Freesurfer. RESULTS Depressive symptoms were associated with reduced cortical thickness in the superior temporal gyrus of the right hemisphere. Anxiety level was correlated with lower cortical thickness in the rostral middle frontal region, inferior temporal region, and supramarginal, postcentral, superior temporal, and transverse temporal regions of the left hemisphere, as well as with a large cluster in the middle temporal region of the right hemisphere. CONCLUSIONS At the end of the detoxification stage, the intensity of depressive and anxiety symptoms is inversely associated with the cortical thickness of regions involved in emotions-related processes, and the persistence of the symptoms could be explained by these brain deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Géraldine Petit
- Psychiatric Emergency Unit, Department of Adult PsychiatryCliniques Universitaires Saint LucBrusselsBelgium
- Institute of Neuroscience, UCLouvainBrusselsBelgium
| | - Sophie Leclercq
- Laboratory of Nutritional PsychiatryInstitute of Neuroscience, UCLouvainBrusselsBelgium
| | | | - Marie Poncin
- Institute of Neuroscience, UCLouvainBrusselsBelgium
- Louvain Experimental Psychopathology Research Group (LEP), Psychological Sciences Research Institute (IPSY)UCLouvainLouvain‐la‐NeuveBelgium
| | - Peter Starkel
- Laboratory of Hepato‐GastroenterologyUCLouvainBrusselsBelgium
- Department of Hepato‐GastroenterologyCliniques Universitaires Saint LucBrusselsBelgium
| | - Pierre Maurage
- Louvain Experimental Psychopathology Research Group (LEP), Psychological Sciences Research Institute (IPSY)UCLouvainLouvain‐la‐NeuveBelgium
| | - Benjamin Rolland
- CH Le Vinatier, Service Universitaire d'Addictologie de Lyon (SUAL)BronFrance
| | | | - Philippe De Timary
- Institute of Neuroscience, UCLouvainBrusselsBelgium
- Laboratory of Hepato‐GastroenterologyUCLouvainBrusselsBelgium
- Department of Adult PsychiatryCliniques Universitaires Saint LucBrusselsBelgium
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Robinson CSH, Claus ED, Calhoun V, Swartz M, Fokas K, Witkiewitz K. Association between empathy and drinking among a community sample of heavy drinkers: Sex differences and neural correlates. Addict Behav 2022; 132:107346. [PMID: 35533589 PMCID: PMC9547551 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107346] [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: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major health problem, yet most individuals with AUD do not perceive a need for formal treatment and do not receive treatment. The lack of treatment seeking among individuals with AUD may suggest a lack of self-awareness and insight into the seriousness of AUD related problems, as well as lack of empathy for the impact of one's drinking on others. Recent work has suggested that empathy may be impaired among individuals seeking treatment for AUD. Further these impairments may differ by sex such that males with lower empathy reported more drinking consequences and greater drinking intensity, but there was no association between empathy and drinking among females. The current study used regression analyses (alpha = 0.05) to examine the association between empathy (as measured by the four scales of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index), independent components of gray matter volume in regions associated with empathy, and drinking variables among non-treatment seeking drinkers with AUD (N = 136) and also examined these effects by sex. Results showed greater perspective taking was associated with less temporoparietal and frontotemporal gray matter volume (B(SE) = -0.912 (0.043), p = 0.034). An interaction between perspective taking and sex was associated with craving, such that higher perspective taking was associated with less craving for males only (B(SE) = -0.48 (0.243), p = 0.049; R2 = 0.087). Empathic concern was related to lower percent heavy drinking days for both males and females (B(SE) = -1.57 (0.743), p = 0.035; R2 = 0.11). The current study found empathy may be an important predictor of craving for males and frequency of heavy drinking for males and females. Future work should investigate whether empathy predicts treatment seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles S H Robinson
- The University of New Mexico, USA; The Mind Research Network, USA; The University of Chicago, USA.
| | - Eric D Claus
- The Mind Research Network, USA; The Pennsylvania State University, USA
| | - Vince Calhoun
- The Mind Research Network, USA; Georgia State University, USA
| | - Megan Swartz
- The University of New Mexico, USA; The Mind Research Network, USA
| | | | - Katie Witkiewitz
- The University of New Mexico, USA; The Mind Research Network, USA
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Social perception and knowledge impairments in severe alcohol use disorder: Group and individual-level findings. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 227:109009. [PMID: 34482036 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Consistent data highlight the presence and clinical significance of social cognition impairments in severe alcohol use disorder (SAUD). However, social perception and knowledge (i.e., the ability to interpret social situations and to identify latent social rules), an important social cognition component, has not yet been explored in this disorder. METHOD 35 patients with SAUD and 35 healthy controls (HC) completed the Social Perception and Knowledge test (PerSo), an experimental task requiring participants to comprehensively describe social situations and to identify the social rules illustrated in 8 pictures. We performed group and single-case analyses. RESULTS Patients with SAUD, as a group, spontaneously identified less relevant "where"/"who"/"what" aspects of the social situations (social perception) than HC. They were however able to provide these elements when explicitly asked to. They were also less able to identify the social rules that subtended the situations (social knowledge). Single-case analyses revealed that 23 % of patients were significantly impaired for social perception, and 34 % for social knowledge. DISCUSSION We provide novel evidence that SAUD is associated with social perception and knowledge impairments at the group level, and that these impairments strongly vary across patients. Such results should lead to the integration of social perception and knowledge impairments in the conceptualization and treatment of socio-affective difficulties in SAUD.
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Leclercq S, Le Roy T, Furgiuele S, Coste V, Bindels LB, Leyrolle Q, Neyrinck AM, Quoilin C, Amadieu C, Petit G, Dricot L, Tagliatti V, Cani PD, Verbeke K, Colet JM, Stärkel P, de Timary P, Delzenne NM. Gut Microbiota-Induced Changes in β-Hydroxybutyrate Metabolism Are Linked to Altered Sociability and Depression in Alcohol Use Disorder. Cell Rep 2021; 33:108238. [PMID: 33053357 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) present with important emotional, cognitive, and social impairments. The gut microbiota has been recently shown to regulate brain functions and behavior but convincing evidence of its role in AUD is lacking. Here, we show that gut dysbiosis is associated with metabolic alterations that affect behavioral (depression, sociability) and neurobiological (myelination, neurotransmission, inflammation) processes involved in alcohol addiction. By transplanting the gut microbiota from AUD patients to mice, we point out that the production of ethanol by specific bacterial genera and the reduction of lipolysis are associated with a lower hepatic synthesis of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), which thereby prevents the neuroprotective effect of BHB. We confirm these results in detoxified AUD patients, in which we observe a persisting ethanol production in the feces as well as correlations among low plasma BHB levels and social impairments, depression, or brain white matter alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Leclercq
- Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium; Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tiphaine Le Roy
- Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium; WELBIO (Walloon Excellence in Life Sciences and Biotechnology), Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sonia Furgiuele
- Laboratory of Human Biology & Toxicology, UMONS, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Valentin Coste
- Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Laure B Bindels
- Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Quentin Leyrolle
- Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Audrey M Neyrinck
- Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Caroline Quoilin
- Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Camille Amadieu
- Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium; Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Géraldine Petit
- Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Laurence Dricot
- Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Patrice D Cani
- Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium; WELBIO (Walloon Excellence in Life Sciences and Biotechnology), Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kristin Verbeke
- Translational Research Center in Gastrointestinal Disorders, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean-Marie Colet
- Laboratory of Human Biology & Toxicology, UMONS, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Peter Stärkel
- Laboratory of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium; Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Philippe de Timary
- Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium; Department of Adult Psychiatry, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, 1200 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Nathalie M Delzenne
- Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium.
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Schmid F, Moreau F, Benzerouk F, Raucher-Chéné D, Kaladjian A, Gierski F, Henry A. Faux Pas Recognition and Executive Processes in Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder: Toward an Investigation of Interindividual Heterogeneity. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2021; 37:608-620. [PMID: 34530445 DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acab072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Impairment of executive functions (EF) has been documented for decades in patients with alcohol use disorders (AUD), while more recent studies have also reported impaired theory of mind. Both have been associated with negative outcomes, particularly a high risk of relapse. However, the interrelatedness of EF and theory of mind impairments remains subject to debate. METHOD About 19 AUD outpatients and 20 healthy controls (HC) were asked to complete measures of motor inhibition, mental flexibility, and updating to assess EF, and the faux pas test to assess theory of mind. RESULTS As expected, patients' mean performances on EF and faux pas measures were poorer than those of HC. Correlational analyses revealed that executive processes were differentially related to faux pas subscores. Additional single-case analyses corroborated the strong association between EF and faux pas interpretation, as patients with AUD mostly had congruent performances (i.e., both EF and faux pas impaired or both EF and faux pas preserved). CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the interrelatedness of EF and faux pas performances in AUD, but also emphasizes the incomplete overlap of the cognitive processes involved in these tasks, with heterogeneous patterns of association. Based on these findings, tailored cognitive rehabilitation programs that simultaneously target EF and faux pas recognition could be developed to favor patients' social inclusion and reduce the risk of relapse. Results also argue in favor of systematic screening for EF and theory of mind impairments among AUD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franca Schmid
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Laboratoire Cognition, Santé, Société (C2S), Reims, France
| | - Franklin Moreau
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Laboratoire Cognition, Santé, Société (C2S), Reims, France
| | - Farid Benzerouk
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Laboratoire Cognition, Santé, Société (C2S), Reims, France.,Psychiatry Department, Reims University Hospital, Marne Mental Health Institute, Reims, France
| | - Delphine Raucher-Chéné
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Laboratoire Cognition, Santé, Société (C2S), Reims, France.,Psychiatry Department, Reims University Hospital, Marne Mental Health Institute, Reims, France.,Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Arthur Kaladjian
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Laboratoire Cognition, Santé, Société (C2S), Reims, France.,Psychiatry Department, Reims University Hospital, Marne Mental Health Institute, Reims, France
| | - Fabien Gierski
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Laboratoire Cognition, Santé, Société (C2S), Reims, France.,Psychiatry Department, Reims University Hospital, Marne Mental Health Institute, Reims, France.,Research Group on Alcohol and Drug Dependence (GRAP), INSERM-University of Picardy Jules Verne, Amiens, France
| | - Audrey Henry
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Laboratoire Cognition, Santé, Société (C2S), Reims, France.,Psychiatry Department, Reims University Hospital, Marne Mental Health Institute, Reims, France
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A biological framework for emotional dysregulation in alcohol misuse: from gut to brain. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:1098-1118. [PMID: 33288871 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-00970-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) has been associated with impairments in social and emotional cognition that play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of addiction. Repeated alcohol intoxications trigger inflammatory processes and sensitise the immune system. In addition, emerging data point to perturbations in the gut microbiome as a key regulator of the inflammatory cascade in AUD. Inflammation and social cognition are potent modulators of one another. At the same time, accumulating evidence implicates the gut microbiome in shaping emotional and social cognition, suggesting the possibility of a common underlying loop of crucial importance for addiction. Here we propose an integrative microbiome neuro-immuno-affective framework of how emotional dysregulation and alcohol-related microbiome dysbiosis could accelerate the cycle of addiction. We outline the overlapping effects of chronic alcohol use, inflammation and microbiome alterations on the fronto-limbic circuitry as a convergence hub for emotional dysregulation. We discuss the interdependent relationship of social cognition, immunity and the microbiome in relation to alcohol misuse- from binge drinking to addiction. In addition, we emphasise adolescence as a sensitive period for the confluence of alcohol harmful effects and emotional dysregulation in the developing gut-brain axis.
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Maurage P, Pabst A, Lannoy S, D'Hondt F, de Timary P, Gaudelus B, Peyroux E. Tackling heterogeneity: Individual variability of emotion decoding deficits in severe alcohol use disorder. J Affect Disord 2021; 279:299-307. [PMID: 33096328 PMCID: PMC7738413 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe alcohol use disorder (SAUD) is associated with social cognition deficits. Patients with SAUD are impaired for the recognition of emotional facial expressions, particularly at early stages of abstinence. These deficits damage interpersonal relations and increase relapse risk. However, uncertainties still abound on their variation across emotions and on the heterogeneity of emotional impairments across patients. We addressed these questions by exploring how the deficit varies according to emotions' type/intensity and patients' heterogeneity. METHODS Sixty-five recently detoxified patients with SAUD and 65 matched healthy controls performed the Facial Emotion Recognition Test, assessing the ability to identify six emotions (anger, contempt, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness) displayed by morphed faces with various intensities. Accuracy scores and detection thresholds were collected for each emotion. Beyond group comparisons, multiple single-case analyses determined the percentage of patients presenting decoding deficits for each emotion. RESULTS When current depression and anxiety symptoms were controlled for, patients did not present a general emotion decoding deficit, but were rather characterized by specific deficits for disgust/contempt in accuracy, and for disgust in detection threshold scores. Single-case analyses showed that only a third of patients presented a clinically significant emotional deficit. CONCLUSIONS Patients with SAUD only present emotional decoding deficits for specific interpersonal emotions (disgust/contempt) when subclinical psychopathological states are controlled for, and show no general emotional impairment. This goes against the proposal of a generalized social cognition deficit in this population. This group effect moreover masks a massive heterogeneity across patients, which has implications at experimental and clinical levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Maurage
- Louvain Experimental Psychopathology research group (LEP), Psychological Sciences Research Institute, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
| | - Arthur Pabst
- Louvain Experimental Psychopathology research group (LEP), Psychological Sciences Research Institute, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Séverine Lannoy
- Louvain Experimental Psychopathology research group (LEP), Psychological Sciences Research Institute, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium; Stanford University, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Fabien D'Hondt
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 - LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, Lille, France; CHU Lille, Clinique de Psychiatrie, CURE, Lille, France; Centre National de Ressources et de Résilience Lille-Paris (CN2R), Lille, France
| | - Philippe de Timary
- Louvain Experimental Psychopathology research group (LEP), Psychological Sciences Research Institute, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium; Department of Adult Psychiatry, Saint-Luc Academic Hospital & Institute of Neuroscience, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Baptiste Gaudelus
- Centre de Neurosciences Cognitives, UMR 5229, CNRS, Bron, France; Service Universitaire de Réhabilitation, SUR-CL3R, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier, Lyon, France
| | - Elodie Peyroux
- Centre de Neurosciences Cognitives, UMR 5229, CNRS, Bron, France; Service Universitaire de Réhabilitation, SUR-CL3R, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier, Lyon, France
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11
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Schmid F, Benzerouk F, Barrière S, Henry A, Limosin F, Kaladjian A, Gierski F. Heterogeneity of Executive Function Abilities in Recently Detoxified Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder: Evidence from a Cluster Analysis. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2020; 45:163-173. [PMID: 33190273 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impairments of executive functions (EF) have been consistently reported in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD), mostly in studies which were based on comparisons of means between groups. However, given the high heterogeneity in AUD patients, this approach could actually cover a wide range of EF patterns. In the present study, we addressed the paucity of the literature about cognitive heterogeneity in AUD by applying a cluster analytical approach on EF measures. METHODS Seventy-eight withdrawn AUD patients and 77 healthy Control participants completed measures targeting a variety of EF components. We then used cluster analysis to identify subgroups of AUD patients. Furthermore, the AUD subgroups were compared to the Control group to establish their specific EF patterns. RESULTS Findings showed that AUD patients could be divided into 3 clusters based on their EF performances. A first cluster accounting for half of the AUD sample was characterized by unimpaired EF (Cluster 1). The 2 other clusters displayed major EF deficits but differed regarding the deficient EF component. While Cluster 2 was mainly impaired on measures of rule deduction and mental flexibility, Cluster 3 was mainly characterized by a lower processing speed and impaired inhibition of an ongoing motor response. Differences in EF performances of AUD patients could be related to differences in premorbid cognitive reserve, impulsiveness patterns, and withdrawal complications. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the importance of the cognitive heterogeneity in AUD by showing that AUD patients display substantially different EF patterns. Future studies should try to go beyond mere group comparisons to further deepen our understanding about cognitive differences between AUD patients. In the long run, this could lead to more personalized prevention and treatment programs specifically tailored to the patient's impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franca Schmid
- From the, Laboratoire Cognition Santé, Société (C2S - EA 6291), (FS, FB, AH, AK, FG), Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
| | - Farid Benzerouk
- From the, Laboratoire Cognition Santé, Société (C2S - EA 6291), (FS, FB, AH, AK, FG), Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France.,CHU de Reims, EPSM Marne, (FB, SB, AH, AK, FG), Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie, Reims, France
| | - Sarah Barrière
- CHU de Reims, EPSM Marne, (FB, SB, AH, AK, FG), Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie, Reims, France
| | - Audrey Henry
- From the, Laboratoire Cognition Santé, Société (C2S - EA 6291), (FS, FB, AH, AK, FG), Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France.,CHU de Reims, EPSM Marne, (FB, SB, AH, AK, FG), Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie, Reims, France
| | - Frédéric Limosin
- Paris Descartes Faculté de Médecine, (FL), Université de Paris, Paris, France.,Département de Psychiatrie, Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, (FL), AP-HP. Centre - Université de Paris, Paris, France.,Institut de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences de Paris (IPNP), UMR_S1266, INSERM, (FL), Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Arthur Kaladjian
- From the, Laboratoire Cognition Santé, Société (C2S - EA 6291), (FS, FB, AH, AK, FG), Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France.,CHU de Reims, EPSM Marne, (FB, SB, AH, AK, FG), Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie, Reims, France
| | - Fabien Gierski
- From the, Laboratoire Cognition Santé, Société (C2S - EA 6291), (FS, FB, AH, AK, FG), Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France.,CHU de Reims, EPSM Marne, (FB, SB, AH, AK, FG), Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie, Reims, France.,INSERM U1247 GRAP, Groupe de recherche sur l'alcool et les pharmacodépendances, (FG), Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France
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12
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Lewis B, Price JL, Garcia CC, Nixon SJ. Emotional Face Processing among Treatment-Seeking Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorders: Investigating Sex Differences and Relationships with Interpersonal Functioning. Alcohol Alcohol 2020; 54:361-369. [PMID: 30796771 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agz010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals in treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD) display deficits across a broad range of cognitive processes. Disruptions in affective processing are understudied, but may be particularly important for interpersonal functioning and post-treatment adaptation. In particular, the role of sex in AUD-associated emotion processing deficits remains largely unaddressed and was a focus of the current investigation. METHODS Fifty-six treatment seekers with AUD and 54 healthy community controls (N = 110) were administered an emotional face discrimination task. Non-affective tasks included a sex-discrimination task and two brief measures of executive functioning. Two measures of interpersonal function were included. RESULTS Emotion processing deficits were evident among women with AUD relative to other groups. This sex-contingent relationship was not observed in measures of executive function, sex-discrimination or interpersonal problems, although individuals with AUD performed more poorly on these measures. CONCLUSIONS Results were consistent with extant literatures examining cognitive, affective and interpersonal functioning among individuals with AUD, and provided novel evidence of vulnerability to alcohol-associated deficits in emotion processing among women. While similar sex-contingent effects were not apparent among other measures, results support modest interrelationships, specifically including the import of emotion processing to interpersonal functioning in AUD. These data offer guidance for further systematic investigation and highlight important considerations for future relapse-prevention and recovery-facilitation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Center for Addiction Research & Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Julianne L Price
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Center for Addiction Research & Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Christian C Garcia
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Center for Addiction Research & Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Sara Jo Nixon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Center for Addiction Research & Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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13
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Nigro G, Matarazzo O, Ciccarelli M, D’Olimpio F, Cosenza M. To chase or not to chase: A study on the role of mentalization and alcohol consumption in chasing behavior. J Behav Addict 2019; 8:743-753. [PMID: 31891312 PMCID: PMC7044581 DOI: 10.1556/2006.8.2019.67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Chasing is a behavioral marker and a diagnostic criterion for gambling disorder. Although chasing has been recognized to play a central role in gambling disorder, research on this topic is relatively scarce. This study investigated the association between chasing, alcohol consumption, and mentalization among habitual gamblers. METHOD A total of 132 adults took part in the study. Participants were administered the South Oaks Gambling Screen, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire, and a laboratory task assessing chasing behavior. Participants were randomly assigned to three experimental conditions (Control, Loss, and Win). To deeply investigate chasing behavior, participants were requested to indicate the reasons for stopping or continuing playing at the end of the experimental session. RESULTS Logistic regression analysis showed that the choice to stop or continue playing depended on experimental condition and alcohol use. Hierarchical linear regression indicated that chasing propensity was affected by experimental condition, alcohol consumption, and deficit in mentalization. The results of path analysis showed that hypermentalizing predicts chasing not only directly, but also indirectly via alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these results for the first time showed that hypermentalization plays a key role in chasing behavior over and above gambling severity. Since these findings support the idea that chasers and non-chasers are different subtypes of gamblers, clinical interventions should consider the additive role of chasing in gambling disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Nigro
- Department of Psychology, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy,Corresponding author: Giovanna Nigro; Department of Psychology, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Viale Ellittico, 31, 81100, Caserta, Italy; Phone: +39 3392707662; Fax: +39 0823274759; E-mail:
| | - Olimpia Matarazzo
- Department of Psychology, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy
| | - Maria Ciccarelli
- Department of Psychology, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy
| | - Francesca D’Olimpio
- Department of Psychology, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy
| | - Marina Cosenza
- Department of Psychology, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy
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14
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To review deficits in emotional processing and social cognition potentially contributing to the dysfunctional emotion regulation and difficulties with interpersonal relationships observed in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and to provide directions for future research. METHOD First is presented a review of emotional and social-cognitive impairments in recently detoxified AUD individuals that include alexithymia, difficulties in decoding others' emotions, and reduced theory of mind and empathy skills. Social cognition disorders in AUD pose different issues discussed, such as whether (1) these deficits are consequences of excessive alcohol consumption or premorbid risk factors for addiction, (2) emotional and social impairments impede positive treatment outcome, (3) recovery of social abilities is possible with sustained abstinence, and (4) AUD patients are unaware of their emotional and social dysfunctions. Finally, current knowledge on structural and functional brain correlates of these deficits in AUD are reviewed. RESULTS Emotional and social-cognitive functions affected in AUD can potentially compromise efforts to initiate and maintain abstinence by hampering efficacy of clinical treatment. Such dysfunction can obstruct efforts to enable or reinstate higher-order abilities such as emotional self-regulation, motivation to change, success in interpersonal/social interactions, and emotional insight and awareness of social dysfunctions (i.e., accurate metacognition). CONCLUSIONS The present review highlights the need to account for emotional processing and social cognition in the evaluation and rehabilitation of alcohol-related neurocognitive disorders and to consider psychotherapeutic treatment involving remediation of emotional and social skills as implemented in psychiatric and neurological disorders. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
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15
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Laghi F, Bianchi D, Pompili S, Lonigro A, Baiocco R. Heavy episodic drinking in late adolescents: The role of theory of mind and conformity drinking motives. Addict Behav 2019; 96:18-25. [PMID: 31026674 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heavy episodic drinking (HED) implies severe consequences for health, both in the short and long term. Peer conformity has shown contradictory relationships with HED, suggesting the presence of a complex interaction between social and individual factors. OBJECTIVE This study investigated the moderation role of conformity in the relationship between theory of mind (ToM) and HED. METHOD Participants were 170 Italian adolescents (Mage = 18.71, SDage = 0.77) recruited in public high schools. Self-report measures were administered for evaluating drunkenness and HED. The Drinking Motives Questionnaire was used to assess three drinking motives, namely coping with negative emotions, enhancement of positive feelings, and the need for peer conformity, whereas the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test was adopted to test advanced theory of mind skills. ANOVAs, MANOVAs and regression moderation analyses were performed. RESULTS Drunkenness, HED and drinking motives did not vary with gender. Only social motives were higher in boys (vs. girls). HED was positively related to drunkenness and to social, coping and enhancement motives. However, only enhancement significantly predicted HED. Finally, conformity moderated the relationship between ToM and HED. In the presence of high conformity, adolescents with impaired ToM reported significantly more HED than adolescents with high ToM. CONCLUSIONS In the presence of conformity needs, social cognition impairment appeared to be a risk factor for HED, whereas good socio-cognitive skills were protective. Implications for research, clinical assessment and prevention are discussed.
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16
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Leclercq S, Stärkel P, Delzenne NM, de Timary P. The gut microbiota: A new target in the management of alcohol dependence? Alcohol 2019; 74:105-111. [PMID: 30031625 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2018.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract is the natural habitat for a huge community of microorganisms, comprising bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeast. This microbial ecosystem codevelops with the host throughout life and is subject to a complex interplay that depends on multiple factors including host genetics, nutrition, life-style, stress, diseases and antibiotics use. The gut microbiota, that refers to intestinal bacteria, has profound influence on the host immune system, metabolism and nervous system. Indeed, intestinal bacteria supply the host with essential nutrients such as vitamins, metabolize bile acids and undigested compounds, defend against pathogen invasion, participate to the development of the intestinal architecture and the intestinal immune system and play an important role in the maintenance of the gut barrier function. More recently, the gut microbiota has been shown to influence brain functions, such as myelin synthesis, the blood-brain barrier permeability and neuroinflammatory responses but also mood and behavior. The cross-talk between microbes and the host implicates a vast array of signaling pathways that involve many different classes of molecules like metabolites produced by the bacteria from dietary or endogenous sources of carbohydrates and proteins (i.e. short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), indole), neurotransmitters and inflammatory cytokines. This review will focus on the involvement of the gut microbiota in the pathophysiological aspects of alcohol dependence related to the gut barrier function, liver damage and psychological disturbances. We will also discuss the possibility to create new and realistic humanized animal models of alcohol dependence by the use of fecal transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Leclercq
- Institute of Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium; Louvain Drug Research Institute, Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Peter Stärkel
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Laboratory of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nathalie M Delzenne
- Louvain Drug Research Institute, Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Philippe de Timary
- Institute of Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Adult Psychiatry, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
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17
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Laghi F, Bianchi D, Pompili S, Lonigro A, Baiocco R. Cognitive and affective empathy in binge drinking adolescents: Does empathy moderate the effect of self-efficacy in resisting peer pressure to drink? Addict Behav 2019; 89:229-235. [PMID: 30336444 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Binge drinking during adolescence is influenced by peer pressure and group norms as risk factors. Conversely, drinking refusal self-efficacy is a protective factor. Thus, adolescents with impaired social skills could be more vulnerable to binge drinking. However, there is still little research on impaired social abilities, such as low empathy, in adolescent binge drinkers. This study aimed to investigate the moderating roles of empathic concerns and perspective-taking in the relationship between self-efficacy in resisting peer pressure to drink (SRPPD) and binge drinking. Participants were 188 Italian adolescents (Mage = 16.93, SDage = 0.76; age-range: 15-19). Self-report instruments were administered. Binge drinking was evaluated with an open response item according to the clinical definition of symptoms; SRPPD was assessed with an item from the Perceived Self-Efficacy scale; empathic concerns and perspective-taking were measured with the Interpersonal Reactivity Index scale. A moderation regression analysis was run. Results showed that binge drinking is positively predicted by age, and negatively predicted by SRPPD and empathic concerns. Only perspective-taking proved to be a moderator in the relationship between SRPPD and binge drinking. In the presence of low perspective-taking, adolescents with low SRPPD reported more binge drinking than adolescents with high SRPPD. Conversely, for adolescents with high levels of perspective-taking, low SRPPD did not predict binge drinking. Our results shed light on patterns of cognitive and affective empathy in binge drinking adolescents, providing relevant implications for research and prevention for at-risk teenagers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiorenzo Laghi
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
| | - Dora Bianchi
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Pompili
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Antonia Lonigro
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Baiocco
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
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18
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Molitor C, Maurage P, Petit G, Poncin M, Leclercq S, Rolland B, de Timary P. Les symptômes thymiques liés à l’usage d’alcool. ANNALES MEDICO-PSYCHOLOGIQUES 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.amp.2018.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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19
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Kroll SL, Wunderli MD, Vonmoos M, Hulka LM, Preller KH, Bosch OG, Baumgartner MR, Quednow BB. Socio-cognitive functioning in stimulant polysubstance users. Drug Alcohol Depend 2018; 190:94-103. [PMID: 30005311 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Using more than one psychotropic substance is accompanied by increased risks for psychiatric and physical disorders. Accordingly, deficits in basal cognitive functions have been consistently associated with polysubstance use (PSU), whereas little is known about potential impairments in more complex socio-cognitive skills, which are relevant for daily-life functioning. Therefore, we investigated the effects of toxicological validated stimulant PSU on social cognition under consideration of potential cumulative effects. METHODS We compared socio-cognitive performances of 47 individuals with stimulant PSU with 59 matched stimulant-naïve controls using the Multifaceted Empathy Test (MET) and the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC). Additionally, social network size was assessed by the Social Network Questionnaire (SNQ). Hair and urine testing was employed to categorize three PSU subgroups (3, 4, and ≥5 substances used) and to ensure drug abstinence in controls. RESULTS Individuals with stimulant PSU showed lower emotional empathy (MET) and a smaller social network (SNQ) compared to controls (both with linear trends for increasing number of used substances: p < .05). In contrast, cognitive empathy (MET and MASC) was largely unaffected by PSU. Additional linear regression analyses within PSU individuals revealed number of used substances as the best predictor for inferior performance in emotional empathy (p < .01), while severity of the use of single substances or substance-classes did not show a significant impact. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate cumulative adverse effects of stimulant PSU on an important facet of socio-cognitive functioning. Therefore, emotional empathy deficits should be targeted in future interventions and rehabilitations for individuals with PSU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara L Kroll
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Zurich, Lenggstrasse 31, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael D Wunderli
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Zurich, Lenggstrasse 31, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Vonmoos
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Zurich, Lenggstrasse 31, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lea M Hulka
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Zurich, Lenggstrasse 31, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Katrin H Preller
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Zurich, Lenggstrasse 31, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Oliver G Bosch
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Zurich, Lenggstrasse 31, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Markus R Baumgartner
- Center for Forensic Hair Analysis, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Kurvenstrasse 17, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Boris B Quednow
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Zurich, Lenggstrasse 31, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
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20
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Cox S, Maurage P, O'Connor R, Chandler C, Riggs K. Automatic visual-spatial perspective taking in alcohol-dependence: A study with happy emotional faces. Drug Alcohol Depend 2018; 190:42-45. [PMID: 29966852 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding the world from another's perspective is an important and potentially automatic human process which is crucial for efficient social interactions. However, while deficits have repeatedly been described for various interpersonal abilities in alcohol-dependence (AD), only one previous study has investigated perspective taking in this pathology. AIM The current study aimed to explore further how AD affects visual-spatial perspective taking (VSPT) by examining the effect of positive emotional stimuli on VSPT in both an AD and non-AD sample. METHODS Reaction times (RT) for simple spatial judgments were measured. Participants made these judgments from their perspective, but judgments were either congruent or incongruent with the perspective of another agent. The emotion conveyed by that agent (happy or neutral) was manipulated across trials. RESULTS Compared to baseline, both AD and non-AD groups displayed delayed RTs for spatial judgments when these were incongruent with the perspective of a happy agent (the expected VSPT RT cost, indicating automatic VSPT). The AD, but not the non-AD group, further displayed a VSPT RT cost when the agent expressed a neutral emotion. CONCLUSION There was no evidence that AD compromised automatic VSPT. However, as in previous research, AD was associated with differences in the processing of emotional stimuli. Future research should explore which 'real-world' settings are likely to trigger social confusion and misunderstanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Cox
- Centre for Addictive Behaviours Research, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London, SE1 0AA, UK.
| | - Pierre Maurage
- Laboratory for Experimental Psychopathology, Psychological Sciences Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Place C. Mercier 10, B-1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Richard O'Connor
- Department of Psychology, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU16 4RS, UK
| | - Chris Chandler
- Department of Psychology, London Metropolitan University, Tower Building, Holloway Road, London, NT 7DT, UK
| | - Kevin Riggs
- Department of Psychology, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU16 4RS, UK
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21
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Cox S, Bertoux M, Turner JJD, Moss A, Locker K, Riggs K. Aspects of alcohol use disorder affecting social cognition as assessed using the Mini Social and Emotional Assessment (mini-SEA). Drug Alcohol Depend 2018; 187:165-170. [PMID: 29674250 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is associated with problems with processing complex social scenarios. Little is known about the relationship between distinct AUD-related factors (e.g., years of problematic drinking), aspects of cognitive function and dysfunction in individuals diagnosed with AUD, and the relative impact these may have on social cognition. AIMS To explore differences in social cognition between a group of participants diagnosed with AUD and controls, using a clinical measure, the Mini Social and Emotional Assessment (mini-SEA). The mini-SEA was used to evaluate social and emotional understanding through a facial emotional recognition task and by utilising a series of social scenes some of which contain a faux pas (social error). METHODS Eighty-five participants (individuals with AUD and controls) completed demographic questions and a general cognitive and social cognitive test battery over three consecutive days. RESULTS Between group analyses revealed that the participants with AUD performed less well on the faux pas test, and differences were also revealed in the emotional facial recognition task. Years of problematic alcohol consumption was the strongest predictor of poor ToM reasoning. CONCLUSION These results suggest a strong link between AUD chronicity and social cognition, though the direction of this relationship needs further elucidation. This may be of clinical relevance to abstinence and relapse management, as basic social cognition skills and ability to maintain interpersonal relationships are likely to be crucial to recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Cox
- London South Bank University, Centre for Addictive Behaviours Research, Division of Psychology, 103 Borough Road, London, SE1 0AA, UK
| | - Maxime Bertoux
- Lille University Hospital, Memory Research and Resources centre & INSERM, U1171, France
| | - John J D Turner
- University of East London, School of Psychology, Water Lane, London, E15 4LZ, UK.
| | - Antony Moss
- London South Bank University, Centre for Addictive Behaviours Research, Division of Psychology, 103 Borough Road, London, SE1 0AA, UK
| | - Kirsty Locker
- Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, Pinewood Place, Dartford, Kent, DA2 7WG, UK
| | - Kevin Riggs
- University of Hull, Department of Psychology, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU6 7RX, UK
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Gandolphe MC, Lecluyse B, Triquet C, Brunelle E, Duparcq JP, Nandrino JL. Mind reading abilities in opiate-dependent patients: An exploratory study. Compr Psychiatry 2018; 83:46-52. [PMID: 29562165 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2018.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2017] [Revised: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Impairments in social cognition have been described as playing a major role in the maintenance of addictive behavior in substance abusers. This study aimed to investigate the Theory of Mind (ToM) ability of opiate-dependent (OD) patients and to explore whether TOM ability was correlated with length of substance abuse, age at onset of substance abuse and length of abstinence. METHODS OD patients (N = 29) and non-dependent individuals (NDI) (N = 29) were submitted to the Theory of Mind Assessment Scale (Th.o.m.a.s.), a semi-structured interview, and to the Versailles-Lecture Intentionnelle en Situation (V-LIS), a movie paradigm in which participants have to infer the characters' intentions. RESULTS The results confirmed a deficit in ToM ability in OD patients, with OD patients demonstrating poorer performance than NDI on both the V-LIS and the Th.o.m.a.s. The combination of perspective taking and reflecting on others' mental states was particularly difficult for OD patients. Furthermore, impairments in ToM abilities were not correlated with the age at onset of substance abuse or to the duration of substance abuse or abstinence. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest OD patients may have impaired social cognition, demonstrating deficits in even basic social interaction skills, which may constitute a risk factor for addiction. These findings underline the importance of developing interventions to improve social cognition ability during the rehabilitation of OD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Charlotte Gandolphe
- SCALab UMR CNRS 9193, Staff DEEP (Dynamique émotionnelle et pathologies), University of Lille, Department of Psychology, B.P. 60149, F-59653 Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France; Hospital Center of Hénin-Beaumont, Centre de soin, d'Accompagnement et de Prévention en Addictologie (CSAPA), 585 Avenue des déportés, 62110 Hénin-Beaumont, France.
| | - Bérénice Lecluyse
- SCALab UMR CNRS 9193, Staff DEEP (Dynamique émotionnelle et pathologies), University of Lille, Department of Psychology, B.P. 60149, F-59653 Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France
| | - Claire Triquet
- Hospital Center of Felleries Liessies, Addiction Department "L'Oasis", 21 Rue du Val Joly, 59740 Felleries, France
| | - Emmanuel Brunelle
- Hospital Center of Hénin-Beaumont, Centre de soin, d'Accompagnement et de Prévention en Addictologie (CSAPA), 585 Avenue des déportés, 62110 Hénin-Beaumont, France
| | - Jean-Paul Duparcq
- Hospital Center of Hénin-Beaumont, Centre de soin, d'Accompagnement et de Prévention en Addictologie (CSAPA), 585 Avenue des déportés, 62110 Hénin-Beaumont, France
| | - Jean-Louis Nandrino
- SCALab UMR CNRS 9193, Staff DEEP (Dynamique émotionnelle et pathologies), University of Lille, Department of Psychology, B.P. 60149, F-59653 Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France
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Assessing the integrity of the cognitive processes involved in belief reasoning by means of two nonverbal tasks: Rationale, normative data collection and illustration with brain-damaged patients. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0190295. [PMID: 29381730 PMCID: PMC5790227 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Every day, we engage in social interactions with other people which require understanding their as well as our own mental states. Such capacity is commonly referred to as Theory of Mind (ToM). Disturbances of ToM are often reported in diverse pathologies which affect brain functioning and lead to problems in social interactions. Identifying ToM deficits is thus crucial to guide the clinicians in the establishment of adequate rehabilitation strategies for patients. Previous studies have demonstrated that ToM is not a unitary function yet currently there are very few standardized tests which allow identifying the type of cognitive processes affected when a patient exhibits a ToM deficit. In the current study, we present two belief reasoning tasks which have been used in previous research to disentangle two types of processes involved in belief reasoning: self-perspective inhibition and the spontaneous inference of another person’s belief. A three-step procedure was developed to provide clinicians with the tools to interpret the patients’ performances on the tasks. First, these tasks were standardized and normative data was collected on a sample of 124 healthy participants aged between 18 and 74. Data collected showed a decrease in performance as a function of age only in the task that loaded most in spontaneous other-perspective demands. There was however no effect of gender or educational level. Cut-off scores to identify deficits were then calculated for the different age groups separately. Secondly, the three-step procedure was applied to 21 brain-damaged patients and showed a large diversity of profiles, including selective deficits of the two targeted ToM processes. The diversity of profiles shows the importance to take into account the multiple facets of ToM during the diagnosis and rehabilitation of patients with suspected ToM deficits.
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Lysaker PH, George S, Chaudoin-Patzoldt KA, Pec O, Bob P, Leonhardt BL, Vohs JL, James AV, Wickett A, Buck KD, Dimaggio G. Contrasting metacognitive, social cognitive and alexithymia profiles in adults with borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia and substance use disorder. Psychiatry Res 2017; 257:393-399. [PMID: 28826064 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2017] [Revised: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Deficits in the ability to recognize and think about mental states are broadly understood to be a root cause of dysfunction in Borderline Personality Disorder (PD). This study compared the magnitude of those deficits relative to other forms of serious mental illness or psychiatric conditions. Assessments were performed using the metacognition assessment scale-abbreviated (MAS-A), emotion recognition using the Bell Lysaker Emotion Recognition Test and alexithymia using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale among adults with schizophrenia (n = 65), Borderline PD (n = 34) and Substance Use disorder without psychosis or significant Borderline traits (n = 32). ANCOVA controlling for age revealed the Borderline PD group had significantly greater levels of metacognitive capacity on the MAS-A than the schizophrenia group and significantly lower levels of metacognitive capacity than the Substance Use group. Multiple comparisons revealed the Borderline PD group had significantly higher self-reflectivity and awareness of the other's mind than the schizophrenia group but lesser mastery and decentration on the MAS-A than substance use group, after controlling for self-report of psychopathology and overall number of PD traits. The Borderline PD and Schizophrenia group had significantly higher levels of alexithymia than the substance use group. No differences were found for emotion recognition. Results suggest metacognitive functioning is differentially affected in different mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul H Lysaker
- Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Day Hospital 116H, 1481 W. 10th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, 355 W. 16th Street, Suite 4800, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
| | - Sunita George
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Indianapolis, 1400 East Hanna Avenue, GH109, Indianapolis, IN 46227, USA
| | - Kelly A Chaudoin-Patzoldt
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Indianapolis, 1400 East Hanna Avenue, GH109, Indianapolis, IN 46227, USA
| | - Ondrej Pec
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ovocný trh 3-5, 116 36 Praha 1-Staré Město, Prague, Czech Republic; Psychotherapeutic and Psychosomatic Clinic ESET, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Bob
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ovocný trh 3-5, 116 36 Praha 1-Staré Město, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Bethany L Leonhardt
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, 355 W. 16th Street, Suite 4800, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Jenifer L Vohs
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, 355 W. 16th Street, Suite 4800, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Alison V James
- Department of Psychology, Indiana State University, B-207 Root Hall, 200 N. Seventh Street, Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA
| | - Amanda Wickett
- Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Day Hospital 116H, 1481 W. 10th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, 355 W. 16th Street, Suite 4800, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Kelly D Buck
- Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Day Hospital 116H, 1481 W. 10th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Giancarlo Dimaggio
- Center for Metacognitive Psychotherapy, Piazza dei Martiri di Belfiore 4, 00195 Rome, Italy
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Le Berre AP, Fama R, Sullivan EV. Executive Functions, Memory, and Social Cognitive Deficits and Recovery in Chronic Alcoholism: A Critical Review to Inform Future Research. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2017; 41:1432-1443. [PMID: 28618018 PMCID: PMC5531758 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 215] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 06/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Alcoholism is a complex and dynamic disease, punctuated by periods of abstinence and relapse, and influenced by a multitude of vulnerability factors. Chronic excessive alcohol consumption is associated with cognitive deficits, ranging from mild to severe, in executive functions, memory, and metacognitive abilities, with associated impairment in emotional processes and social cognition. These deficits can compromise efforts in initiating and sustaining abstinence by hampering efficacy of clinical treatment and can obstruct efforts in enabling good decision making success in interpersonal/social interactions, and awareness of cognitive and behavioral dysfunctions. Despite evidence for differences in recovery levels of selective cognitive processes, certain deficits can persist even with prolonged sobriety. Herein is presented a review of alcohol-related cognitive impairments affecting component processes of executive functioning, memory, and the recently investigated cognitive domains of metamemory, social cognition, and emotional processing; also considered are trajectories of cognitive recovery with abstinence. Finally, in the spirit of critical review, limitations of current knowledge are noted and avenues for new research efforts are proposed that focus on (i) the interaction among emotion-cognition processes and identification of vulnerability factors contributing to the development of emotional and social processing deficits and (ii) the time line of cognitive recovery by tracking alcoholism's dynamic course of sobriety and relapse. Knowledge about the heterochronicity of cognitive recovery in alcoholism has the potential of indicating at which points during recovery intervention may be most beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Pascale Le Berre
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Rosemary Fama
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Neuroscience Program, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Edith V. Sullivan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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A role for the peripheral immune system in the development of alcohol use disorders? Neuropharmacology 2017; 122:148-160. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Revised: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Heterogeneity of emotional and interpersonal difficulties in alcohol-dependence: A cluster analytic approach. J Affect Disord 2017; 217:163-173. [PMID: 28411505 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Revised: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emotional and interpersonal impairments have been largely reported in alcohol-dependence, and their role in its development and maintenance is widely established. However, earlier studies have exclusively focused on group comparisons between healthy controls and alcohol-dependent individuals, considering them as a homogeneous population. The variability of socio-emotional profiles in this disorder thus remains totally unexplored. The present study used a cluster analytic approach to explore the heterogeneity of affective and social disorders in alcohol-dependent individuals. METHODS 296 recently-detoxified alcohol-dependent patients were first compared with 246 matched healthy controls regarding self-reported emotional (i.e. alexithymia) and social (i.e. interpersonal problems) difficulties. Then, a cluster analysis was performed, focusing on the alcohol-dependent sample, to explore the presence of differential patterns of socio-emotional deficits and their links with demographic, psychopathological and alcohol-related variables. RESULTS The group comparison between alcohol-dependent individuals and controls clearly confirmed that emotional and interpersonal difficulties constitute a key factor in alcohol-dependence. However, the cluster analysis identified five subgroups of alcohol-dependent individuals, presenting distinct combinations of alexithymia and interpersonal problems ranging from a total absence of reported impairment to generalized socio-emotional difficulties. CONCLUSIONS Alcohol-dependent individuals should no more be considered as constituting a unitary group regarding their affective and interpersonal difficulties, but rather as a population encompassing a wide variety of socio-emotional profiles. Future experimental studies on emotional and social variables should thus go beyond mere group comparisons to explore this heterogeneity, and prevention programs proposing an individualized evaluation and rehabilitation of these deficits should be promoted.
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Massey SH, Newmark RL, Wakschlag LS. Explicating the role of empathic processes in substance use disorders: A conceptual framework and research agenda. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017; 37:316-332. [PMID: 28493364 DOI: 10.1111/dar.12548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Revised: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
ISSUES Elucidating the role of empathic processes in developmental pathways to substance use disorders could have important implications for prevention. APPROACH We searched the biomedical and social sciences literature to determine what is known about empathy and psychopathological manifestations of severe lack of empathy in the initiation, development and maintenance of psychoactive substance use. Thirty-seven empirical studies were identified and formally reviewed. KEY FINDINGS Adults with alcohol and stimulant use disorders exhibited detectable impairments in both cognitive and affective empathy, measured behaviourally, neuroanatomically and by self-report, relative to controls. There were no developmental studies specifically designed to test the role of empathy in substance use pathways, but several studies that included measures of empathy suggest that empathy may be protective. Studies on severe empathic deficits were mixed regarding a unique role of empathy in substance use trajectories, independent of interpersonal style, impulsivity and social deviance. Implications and Conclusions. In the context of findings and methodological limitations of this review, we recommend more rigorous examination of empathy across the spectrum of substance use behaviour. Future work should utilise the following: (i) prospective assessment of empathic capacity in substance abusers during and following treatment; (ii) large, developmentally based prospective designs beginning prior to substance initiation incorporating multiple measures of empathy; (iii) assessment of the moderating role of gender, race and ethnicity; and (iv) prospective study of empathy in children at elevated risk for substance use disorders. [Massey SH, Newmark RL, Wakschlag LS. Explicating the role of empathic processes in substance use disorders: A conceptual framework and research agenda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suena H Massey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA.,Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA
| | - Rebecca L Newmark
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA
| | - Lauren S Wakschlag
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA.,Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA
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Grynberg D, Maurage P, Nandrino JL. Preserved Affective Sharing But Impaired Decoding of Contextual Complex Emotions in Alcohol Dependence. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2017; 41:779-785. [PMID: 28092119 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior research has repeatedly shown that alcohol dependence is associated with a large range of impairments in psychological processes, which could lead to interpersonal deficits. Specifically, it has been suggested that these interpersonal difficulties are underpinned by reduced recognition and sharing of others' emotional states. However, this pattern of deficits remains to be clarified. This study thus aimed to investigate whether alcohol dependence is associated with impaired abilities in decoding contextual complex emotions and with altered sharing of others' emotions. METHODS Forty-one alcohol-dependent individuals (ADI) and 37 matched healthy individuals completed the Multifaceted Empathy Test, in which they were instructed to identify complex emotional states expressed by individuals in contextual scenes and to state to what extent they shared them. RESULTS Compared to healthy individuals, ADI were impaired in identifying negative (Cohen's d = 0.75) and positive (Cohen's d = 0.46) emotional states but, conversely, presented preserved abilities in sharing others' emotional states. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that alcohol dependence is characterized by an impaired ability to decode complex emotional states (both positive and negative), despite the presence of complementary contextual cues, but by preserved emotion-sharing. Therefore, these results extend earlier data describing an impaired ability to decode noncontextualized emotions toward contextualized and ecologically valid emotional states. They also indicate that some essential emotional competences such as emotion-sharing are preserved in alcohol dependence, thereby offering potential therapeutic levers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Grynberg
- Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, CNRS, CHU Lille, UMR 9193, Université de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Pierre Maurage
- Laboratory for Experimental Psychopathology, Psychological Science Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Jean-Louis Nandrino
- Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, CNRS, CHU Lille, UMR 9193, Université de Lille, Lille, France
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Bora E, Zorlu N. Social cognition in alcohol use disorder: a meta-analysis. Addiction 2017; 112:40-48. [PMID: 27287050 DOI: 10.1111/add.13486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Revised: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emre Bora
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Carlton South, Victoria, Australia.,6328 Sok no:38/2, Yali Mahallesi, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Nabi Zorlu
- Department of Psychiatry, Katip Celebi University, Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
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de Timary P, Maurage P. Considering Cognitive Mentalizing Deficits as a Transient and Reversible Impairment in Alcohol Dependence: A Response to Fein's Commentary on Maurage et al.'s Paper. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2016; 40:2692-2693. [PMID: 27709627 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Philippe de Timary
- Laboratory for Experimental Psychopathology, Psychological Science Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.,Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Neuroscience, Saint-Luc University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pierre Maurage
- Laboratory for Experimental Psychopathology, Psychological Science Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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Cox S, Chandler C, Simpson A, Riggs K. The effect of alcohol dependence on automatic visuo-spatial perspective taking. Drug Alcohol Depend 2016; 166:21-5. [PMID: 27350654 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Revised: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcoholism is associated with cognitive deficits that affect social functioning. Previous research has shown that alcoholism is associated with deficits in conscious, deliberate social processing. However, little is known about whether alcoholism also affects rapid, spontaneous processing. We therefore investigated the extent to which alcoholism affects the ability to spontaneously adopt the viewpoint of another in a visuo-spatial perspective taking (VSPT) task. METHODS VSPT was measured in participants responding to a dot probe presented for 35ms alongside neutral faces, fearful faces and baseline stimuli (rectangles). RESULTS Non alcohol dependent participants showed the standard reaction time cost to fearful faces, but not neutral faces relative to baseline. However, Alcohol dependent (AD) participants showed a reaction time cost to both fearful and neutral faces. CONCLUSIONS AD participants are not impaired in their ability to automatically adopt the perspective of another. However, unlike non-AD participants, they show automatic perspective taking to both neutral and fearful faces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Cox
- University of Kent, Department of Psychology, Keynes College, University Road, Canterbury, CT2 7NZ, UK; London Metropolitan University, Department of Psychology, Tower Building, Holloway Road, London, N7 8DB, UK.
| | - Chris Chandler
- London Metropolitan University, Department of Psychology, Tower Building, Holloway Road, London, N7 8DB, UK.
| | - Andrew Simpson
- University of Essex, Department of Psychology, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK.
| | - Kevin Riggs
- University of Hull, Department of Psychology, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU16 4RS, UK.
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Schmidt T, Roser P, Juckel G, Brüne M, Suchan B, Thoma P. Social cognition and social problem solving abilities in individuals with alcohol use disorder. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2016; 38:974-90. [DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2016.1180346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Maurage P, D'Hondt F, de Timary P, Mary C, Franck N, Peyroux E. Dissociating Affective and Cognitive Theory of Mind in Recently Detoxified Alcohol-Dependent Individuals. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2016; 40:1926-34. [DOI: 10.1111/acer.13155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Maurage
- Laboratory for Experimental Psychopathology; Psychological Sciences Research Institute; Université catholique de Louvain; Louvain-la-Neuve Belgium
| | - Fabien D'Hondt
- Laboratory for Experimental Psychopathology; Psychological Sciences Research Institute; Université catholique de Louvain; Louvain-la-Neuve Belgium
| | - Philippe de Timary
- Laboratory for Experimental Psychopathology; Psychological Sciences Research Institute; Université catholique de Louvain; Louvain-la-Neuve Belgium
- Department of Psychiatry; Saint-Luc University Hospital; Brussels Belgium
| | - Charlotte Mary
- Laboratory for Experimental Psychopathology; Psychological Sciences Research Institute; Université catholique de Louvain; Louvain-la-Neuve Belgium
| | - Nicolas Franck
- Centre de Neurosciences Cognitives; UMR 5229; CNRS; Bron Cedex France
- Service Universitaire de Réhabilitation; Centre Référent Lyonnais en Réhabilitation et en Remédiation Cognitive (SUR-CL3R); Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier; Lyon France
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1; Villeurbanne Cedex France
| | - Elodie Peyroux
- Centre de Neurosciences Cognitives; UMR 5229; CNRS; Bron Cedex France
- Service Universitaire de Réhabilitation; Centre Référent Lyonnais en Réhabilitation et en Remédiation Cognitive (SUR-CL3R); Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier; Lyon France
- GDR 3557; SHU-Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Anne; Paris France
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Electrophysiological correlates of problematic Internet use: Critical review and perspectives for future research. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2015; 59:64-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Revised: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Fein G. Commentary on Maurage et al.: Theory of Mind Difficulties in Patients with Alcohol Dependence. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2015; 39:1118-9. [PMID: 26010429 DOI: 10.1111/acer.12761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- George Fein
- Neurobehavioral Research Inc., Kihei, Hawaii.,Medicine and Affiliated Graduate Faculty in Psychology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii
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