Working Memory Training in Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Prenatal ethanol and cannabis exposure have sex- and region-specific effects on somatostatin and neuropeptide Y interneurons in the rat hippocampus

BACKGROUND

Cannabis is increasingly being legalized and socially accepted around the world and is often used with alcohol in social settings. We recently showed that in utero exposure to both substances can alter the density of parvalbumin-expressing interneurons in the hippocampus. Here we investigate the effects of in utero alcohol and cannabis exposure, alone or in combination, on somatostatin- and neuropeptide Y-positive (NPY) interneurons. These are separate classes of interneurons important for network synchrony and inhibition in the hippocampus.

METHODS

A 2 (Ethanol, Air) × 2 (tetrahydrocannabinol [THC], Vehicle) design was used to expose pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats to either ethanol or air, in addition to either THC or the inhalant vehicle solution, during gestational days 5-20. Immunohistochemistry for somatostatin- and NPY-positive interneurons was performed in 50 μm tissue sections obtained at postnatal day 70.

RESULTS

Exposure to THC in utero had region-specific and sex-specific effects on the density of somatostatin-positive interneurons in the adult rat hippocampus. A female-specific decrease in NPY interneuron cell density was observed in the CA1 region following THC exposure. Combined exposure to alcohol and THC reduced NPY neurons selectively in the ventral dentate gyrus hippocampal subfield. However, overall, co-exposure to alcohol and cannabis had neither additive nor synergistic effects on interneuron populations in other areas of the hippocampus.

CONCLUSIONS

These results illustrate how alcohol and cannabis exposure in utero may affect hippocampal function by altering inhibitory processes in a sex-specific manner.

Ethanol's impact on the brain: a neurobiological perspective on the mechanisms of memory impairment

Alcohol consumption is known to have detrimental effects on memory function, with various studies implicating ethanol in the impairment of cognitive processes related to memory retention and retrieval. This review aims to elucidate the complex neurobiological mechanisms underlying ethanol-induced memory impairment. Through a thorough search of existing literature using electronic databases, relevant articles focusing on the neurobiological mechanisms of ethanol on memory were identified and critically evaluated. This review focuses on the molecular and neural pathways through which ethanol exerts its effects on memory formation, consolidation, and recall processes. Key findings from the included studies shed light on the impact of ethanol on neurotransmitter systems, synaptic plasticity, and neuroinflammation in relation to memory impairment. This review contributes to a better understanding of the intricate mechanisms by which alcohol impairs memory function, offering insights for future research directions and the development of targeted interventions to alleviate these cognitive impairments.

Cognitive training interventions for substance use disorders: what they really offer?

Cognitive training (CT) has emerged as a potential therapeutic approach for substance use disorders (SUD), aiming to restore cognitive impairments and potentially improve treatment outcomes. However, despite promising findings, the effectiveness of CT in real-life applications and its impact on SUD symptoms has remained unclear. This perspective article critically examines the existing evidence on CT for SUD and explores the challenges and gaps in implementing CT interventions. It emphasizes the need for clarity in expectations and decision-making from a public health standpoint, advocating for comprehensive studies that consider a broader range of SUD consequences and utilize measures that reflect patients' actual experiences.

The Functional-Cognitive and Sensory Treatment (F-CaST) to improve rehabilitation outcomes of individuals with substance use disorder: a study protocol for a mixed-method randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Substance use disorder (SUD) is associated with executive function (EF) deficits and sensory modulation dysfunction (SMD). Yet, these deficits are not addressed therapeutically. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of the Functional-Cognitive and Sensory Treatment (F-CaST) compared to standard care to improve everyday performance and behavior and length of stay at the therapeutic community (TC) in individuals with SUD. In addition, to assess the improvement in EF, sensory modulation, participation, self-efficacy, life satisfaction, and use of strategies within and between groups. Satisfaction with F-CaST will also be assessed.

METHODS

Forty-eight participants from a community of men in a TC, aged 18-45 years will be randomly allocated to (i) F-CaST-(experimental group) providing sensory and EF strategies for improving daily function; (ii) standard care (control group) as provided in the TC. Assessments will be conducted by assessors blind to group allocation at 4 time points: T1- pre-intervention; T2- post-intervention; T3- 1-month follow-up; and T4- 3-month follow-up. Primary outcome measures will be everyday performance, assessed by the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), behavior and length of stay in the TC; secondary outcome measures will assess EF, SMD. Semi-structured in-depth qualitative interviews will be conducted at T1, T2 and T4.

DISCUSSION

We hypothesize that F-CaST will lead to improved everyday performance and longer length of stay in the TC, compared to the control group. If F-CaST will prove to be effective, cognitive and sensory strategies may be incorporated as an adjunctive intervention in SUD rehabilitation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05647863 Registered on 13 December 2022, https://classic.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov/ct2/show/NCT05647863 .

Effectiveness of Neuropsychological Rehabilitation in the Recovery of Executive Deficits in Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder: A Systematic Review Protocol

INTRODUCTION

Changes in executive functions associated with alcohol consumption are frequently found in alcohol use disorder. Neuropsychological rehabilitation can play an essential role as an effective treatment in the recovery from these deficits, leading to the maintenance of abstinence. However, there are still some uncertainties regarding its impact on the recovery of deficits in executive functions. Our purpose is to present a protocol for a systematic review aiming to assess which neuropsychological rehabilitation programs are effective in the recovery of executive deficits in patients with alcohol use disorder.

METHODS

We will search the following databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library (CENTRAL), Web of Science, and Scopus, as well as the list of references of the identified studies. Screening, data extraction, and synthesis, as well as evaluation of the risk of bias, will be carried out by two reviewers independently, using ROBINS-I and RoB 2. Disagreements will be resolved using a third additional reviewer. Primary outcomes will correspond to changes in executive functions, following a neuropsychological rehabilitation program in patients with alcohol use disorder. The evidence will be synthesized using a narrative description of neuropsychological rehabilitation programs and the indicators of their effectiveness will be identified. The neuropsychological rehabilitation programs for executive functions will be assessed considering their different components and their impact on the recovery of these functions. The review described in this protocol will allow the development of guidelines for the design of more effective rehabilitation programs for clinical populations with alcohol use disorder.

Comparative Effects of Cognitive Rehabilitation and Photobiomodulation on Drug Craving in Treatment-Seeking Opioid Addicts

Background: Drug addiction refers to a maladaptive pattern of drug use that frequently leads to substance abuse problems and accompanying cognitive and behavioral symptoms. Among the crucial criteria of drug addiction, craving stands out as a potent factor contributing to ongoing drug abuse and relapse following period of abstinence. To date, there is no definitive method for eradicating opioid cravings. The introduction of novel neurocognitive interventions, such as cognitive rehabilitation and photobiomodulation (PBM), into the realm of psychiatric treatments holds promise due to the parallels between drug addiction and other psychiatric disorders. These innovative techniques offer potential value in addressing drug addiction. Objective: This study aimed to assess and compare the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation and PBM in alleviating drug cravings among individuals undergoing addiction treatment in clinical settings. Methods: The research used randomized clinical trial as the chosen research method. The statistical population encompassed all clients receiving treatment for addiction at clinics, selected through the convenience sampling method, with α = 0.05 significance level and an effect size of 85%. Gpower software was utilized to determine three equal groups. Sixty-three participants, each having a mean total score higher than 3 out of 5 on the Desire for Drug Questionnaire (DDQ), were randomly assigned to two experimental groups (n = 21 each) and a control group (n = 21). For the assessment of immediate and periodic opioid craving, the DDQ and the Obsessive Compulsive Drug Use Scale were used. In the low-level laser group, an 810 nm wavelength with continuous irradiation was applied twice a week at a distance of 1 cm by 1 cm to the prefrontal part of the brain for duration of 6 weeks (12 sessions). In the brain rehabilitation group, the stop signal and n-back tasks software were used twice a week for period of 6 weeks (comprising 12 sessions, each lasting 30 min). Results: The results demonstrated that each intervention significantly reduced drug craving in both the post-test and follow-up phases compared to the control group. The Bonferroni post hoc test indicated that PBM was more effective than cognitive rehabilitation in terms of working memory (WM) and inhibitory control for reducing drug craving (p < 0.05). Conclusions: While both PBM and cognitive rehabilitation targeting WM and inhibitory control effectively reduced opioid drug craving, low-level laser therapy proved to be more effective than cognitive rehabilitation in this regard.

Age-related cognitive decline is accelerated in alcohol use disorder

This study aimed to examine potential cognitive impairments in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD), and explore the factors affecting them. We recruited 97 inpatients with AUD, showing superficially normal cognitive function (mini-mental state examination score ≥24) for this study. We assessed cognitive function after a 4-week post-abstinence period using the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia-Japanese version (BACS-J). Relationships between BACS-J subcategory/composite raw scores and Z-scores (deviation from standard data in healthy Japanese) and background factors such as age, sex, education, smoking status, mini-mental state examination score, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, severity of depression, alcohol consumption, and laboratory findings were analyzed. Multiple regression analysis showed that the age (p < 0.001) and total bilirubin level (p = 0.014) were worsening factors for the BACS-J composite raw score, whereas education (p < 0.001) was a protective factor. An inverse correlation was apparent between the age and the composite Z-score of the BACS-J (r = -0.431, p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis identified 53 years as the cutoff age for predicting more than -2SD cognitive decline from the normal standard, with a high negative predictive value (95%). Patients with AUD aged ≥53 years showed more pronounced impairments in verbal memory, working memory, verbal fluency, and attention than those younger than 53 years (p < 0.05). These findings clearly demonstrate accelerated age-related cognitive decline in patients with AUD, especially those aged ≥53 years, suggesting the necessity of early intervention in patients with AUD to prevent progressive cognitive impairment and preserve their quality of life.

Pharmacological Treatment of Alcohol Cravings

(1) Background: The treatment of substance addiction is challenging and has persisted for decades, with only a few therapeutic options. Although there are some recommendations for specific treatments for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), there is no specific medication used to treat alcohol cravings, which could benefit millions of patients that are suffering from alcoholism. Cravings, or the urge to use drugs, refer to the desire to experience the effects of a previously experienced psychoactive substance. (2) Methods: We included original studies of alcohol abuse or dependence extracted from a controlled, blind, pharmacological treatment study which presented measures and outcomes related to alcohol cravings. (3) Results: Specific drugs used for the treatment of alcoholism, such as Naltrexone and Acamprosate, have had the best results in relieving craving symptoms, as well as promoting abstinence. Baclofen and anticonvulsants such as Gabapentin and Topiramate have shown good results in promoting abstinence and the cessation of cravings. (4) Conclusions: Specific drugs used for the treatment of alcoholism to obtain the best results can be considered the gold standard for promoting abstinence and relieving cravings. Anticonvulsants and Baclofen also had good results, with these medications being considered as second-line ones. Varenicline is an option for alcohol dependents who also concomitantly ingest tobacco.

Computerized working memory training for hypertensive individuals with executive function impairment: a randomized clinical trial

Background

Hypertension is associated with working memory (WM) impairment. However, the benefits of Cogmed WM training for the hypertensive population are unknown. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate Cogmed's effects on the WM performance of hypertensive individuals with executive function (EF) impairment.

Methods

We included 40 hypertensive patients (aged 40-70 years, 68% female) with EF impairment. They were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive 10 weeks of adaptive Cogmed training or a non-adaptive control training based on online games. The primary outcome was the WM performance. The secondary outcomes were verbal memory, visuospatial ability, executive function, global cognition, and the neuronal activity measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) under two WM task conditions: low (memorization of 4 spatial locations) and high (memorization of 6 spatial locations). An intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analysis were performed.

Results

Cogmed did not show a significant effect on WM or any other cognitive outcome post-training. However, under the WM-low load and WM-high load conditions of the fMRI, respectively, the Cogmed group had an activation decrease in the right superior parietal lobe (ITT and PP analyses) and left inferior frontal lobe (PP analysis) in comparison to the control group.

Conclusion

The Cogmed showed no effects on the WM performance of hypertensive individuals with EF impairment. However, activation decreases were observed in frontoparietal areas related to the WM network, suggesting a more efficient neuronal activity after training.

Cognitive Alterations in Addictive Disorders: A Translational Approach

The cognitive decline in people with substance use disorders is well known and can be found during both the dependence and drug abstinence phases. At the clinical level, cognitive decline impairs the response to addiction treatment and increases dropout rates. It can be irreversible, even after the end of drug abuse consumption. Improving our understanding of the molecular and cellular alterations associated with cognitive decline could be essential to developing specific therapeutic strategies for its treatment. Developing animal models to simulate drug abuse-induced learning and memory alterations is critical to continue exploring this clinical situation. The main aim of this review is to summarize the most recent evidence on cognitive impairment and the associated biological markers in patients addicted to some of the most consumed drugs of abuse and in animal models simulating this clinical situation. The available information suggests the need to develop more studies to further explore the molecular alterations associated with cognitive impairment, with the ultimate goal of developing new potential therapeutic strategies.

Approach-Bias Retraining and Other Training Interventions as Add-On in the Treatment of AUD Patients

In the past two decades, a variety of cognitive training interventions have been developed to help people overcome their addictive behaviors. Conceptually, it is important to distinguish between programs in which reactions to addiction-relevant cues are trained (varieties of cognitive bias modification, CBM) and programs in which general abilities are trained such as working memory or mindfulness. CBM was first developed to study the hypothesized causal role in mental disorders: by directly manipulating the bias, it was investigated to what extent this influenced disorder-relevant behavior. In these proof-of-principle studies, the bias was temporarily modified in volunteers, either temporarily increased or decreased, with corresponding effects on behavior (e.g., beer consumption), in case the bias was successfully manipulated. In subsequent clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs), training (away from the substance vs. sham training) was added to clinical treatment. These studies have demonstrated that CBM, as added to treatment, reduces relapse with a small effect of about 10% (similar effect size as for medication, with the strongest evidence for approach-bias modification). This has not been found for general ability training (e.g., working memory training), although effects on other psychological functions have been found (e.g., impulsivity). Mindfulness also has been found to help people overcome addictions, and different from CBM, also as stand-alone intervention. Research on (neuro-)cognitive mechanisms underlying approach-bias modification has pointed to a new perspective in which automatic inferences rather than associations are influenced by training, which has led to the development of a new variety of training: ABC training.

Plasma Concentrations of Neurofilament Light Chain Protein and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor as Consistent Biomarkers of Cognitive Impairment in Alcohol Use Disorder

For a long time, Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) were not considered a component in the etiology of dementia. The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders introduced substance-induced neurocognitive disorders, incorporating this notion to clinical practice. However, detection and monitoring of neurodegenerative processes in SUD patients remain a major clinical challenge, especially when early diagnosis is required. In the present study, we aimed to investigate new potential biomarkers of neurodegeneration that could predict cognitive impairment in SUD patients: the circulating concentrations of Neurofilament Light chain protein (NfL) and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). Sixty SUD patients were compared with twenty-seven dementia patients and forty healthy controls. SUD patients were recruited and assessed using the Psychiatric Research Interview for Substance and Mental (PRISM) and a battery of neuropsychological tests, including the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test for evaluation of cognitive impairment. When compared to healthy control subjects, SUD patients showed increases in plasma NfL concentrations and NfL/BDNF ratio, as well as reduced plasma BDNF levels. These changes were remarkable in SUD patients with moderate-severe cognitive impairment, being comparable to those observed in dementia patients. NfL concentrations correlated with executive function and memory cognition in SUD patients. The parameters "age", "NfL/BDNF ratio", "first time alcohol use", "age of onset of alcohol use disorder", and "length of alcohol use disorder diagnosis" were able to stratify our SUD sample into patients with cognitive impairment from those without cognitive dysfunction with great specificity and sensibility. In conclusion, we propose the combined use of NfL and BDNF (NfL/BDNF ratio) to monitor substance-induced neurocognitive disorder.

Adaptive working memory training does not produce transfer effects in cognition and neuroimaging

Despite growing interest in cognitive interventions from academia and industry, it remains unclear if working memory (WM) training, one of the most popular cognitive interventions, produces transfer effects. Transfer effects are training-induced gains in performance in untrained cognitive tasks, while practice effects are improvements in trained task. The goal of this study was to evaluate potential transfer effects by comprehensive cognitive testing and neuroimaging. In this prospective, randomized-controlled, and single-blind study, we administered an 8-week n-back training to 55 healthy middle-aged (50-64 years) participants. State-of-the-art multimodal neuroimaging was used to examine potential anatomic and functional changes. Relative to control subjects, who performed non-adaptive WM training, no near or far transfer effects were detected in experimental subjects, who performed adaptive WM training. Equivalently, no training-related changes were observed in white matter integrity, amplitude of low frequency fluctuations, glucose metabolism, functional and metabolic connectivity. Exploratory within-group comparisons revealed some gains in transfer tasks, which, however, cannot be attributed to an increased WM capacity. In conclusion, WM training produces transfer effects neither at the cognitive level nor in terms of neural structure or function. These results speak against a common view that training-related gains reflect an increase in underlying WM capacity. Instead, the presently observed practice effects may be a result of optimized task processing strategies, which do not necessarily engage neural plasticity.

BDNF and its Role in the Alcohol Abuse Initiated During Early Adolescence: Evidence from Preclinical and Clinical Studies

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a crucial brain signaling protein that is integral to many signaling pathways. This neurotrophin has shown to be highly involved in brain plastic processes such as neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, axonal growth, and neurotransmission, among others. In the first part of this review, we revise the role of BDNF in different neuroplastic processes within the central nervous system. On the other hand, its deficiency in key neural circuits is associated with the development of psychiatric disorders, including alcohol abuse disorder. Many people begin to drink alcohol during adolescence, and it seems that changes in BDNF are evident after the adolescent regularly consumes alcohol. Therefore, the second part of this manuscript addresses the involvement of BDNF during adolescent brain maturation and how this process can be negatively affected by alcohol abuse. Finally, we propose different BNDF enhancers, both behavioral and pharmacological, which should be considered in the treatment of problematic alcohol consumption initiated during the adolescence.

Artificial Cognitive Systems Applied in Executive Function Stimulation and Rehabilitation Programs: A Systematic Review

This article presents a systematic review of studies on cognitive training programs based on artificial cognitive systems and digital technologies and their effect on executive functions. The aim has been to identify which populations have been studied, the characteristics of the implemented programs, the types of implemented cognitive systems and digital technologies, the evaluated executive functions, and the key findings of these studies. The review has been carried out following the PRISMA protocol; five databases have been selected from which 1889 records were extracted. The articles were filtered following established criteria, to give a final selection of 264 articles that have been used for the purposes of this study in the analysis phase. The findings showed that the most studied populations were school-age children and the elderly. The most studied executive functions were working memory and attentional processes, followed by inhibitory control and processing speed. Many programs were commercial, customizable, gamified, and based on classic tasks. Some more recent initiatives have begun to incorporate user-machine interfaces, robotics, and virtual reality, although studies on their effects remain scarce. The studies recognize multiple benefits of computerized neuropsychological stimulation and rehabilitation programs for executive functions in different age groups, but there is a lack of studies in specific population sectors and with more rigorous research designs.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13369-022-07292-5.

Effects of chess-based cognitive remediation training as therapy add-on in alcohol and tobacco use disorders: protocol of a randomised, controlled clinical fMRI trial

BACKGROUND

Alcohol and tobacco use disorders (AUD, TUD) are frequent, both worldwide and in the German population, and cognitive impairments are known to facilitate instances of relapse. Cognitive training has been proposed for enhancing cognitive functioning and possibly improving treatment outcome in mental disorders. However, these effects and underlying neurobiological mechanisms are not yet fully understood regarding AUD and TUD. Examining the effect of chess-based cognitive remediation training (CB-CRT) on neurobiological, neuropsychological and psychosocial aspects as well as treatment outcomes will provide insights into mechanisms underlying relapse and abstinence and might help to improve health behaviour in affected individuals if used as therapy add-on.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

N=96 individuals with either AUD (N=48) or TUD (N=48) between 18 and 65 years of age will participate in a randomised, controlled clinical functional MRI (fMRI) trial. Two control groups will receive treatment as usual, that is, AUD treatment in a clinic, TUD outpatient treatment. Two therapy add-on groups will receive a 6-week CB-CRT as a therapy add-on. FMRI tasks, neurocognitive tests will be administered before and afterwards. All individuals will be followed up on monthly for 3 months. Endpoints include alterations in neural activation and neuropsychological task performance, psychosocial functioning, and relapse or substance intake. Regarding fMRI analyses, a general linear model will be applied, and t-tests, full factorial models and regression analyses will be conducted on the second level. Behavioural and psychometric data will be analysed using t-tests, regression analyses, repeated measures and one-way analyses of variance.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study has been approved by the ethics committee of the medical faculty Mannheim of the University of Heidelberg (2017-647N-MA). The findings of this study will be presented at conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was registered in the Clinical Trials Register (trial identifier: NCT04057534 at clinicaltrials.gov).

Working Memory Training Reduces Cigarette Smoking Among Low-Income Individuals With Elevated Delay Discounting

INTRODUCTION

The competing neurobehavioral decision systems theory conceptualizes addictive behavior, such as cigarette smoking, as arising from the imbalance between stronger impulsive relative to weaker executive decision processes. Working memory trainings may enhance executive decision processes, yet few studies have evaluated its efficacy on substance misuse, with mixed evidence. The current study is the first to evaluate the efficacy of a working memory training on cigarette smoking. We consider the moderating role of delay discounting (DD), or the preference for smaller, immediately available rewards relative to larger, delayed rewards, which has been associated with smoking onset, progression, and resumption. The investigation focuses on individuals living in high-poverty, low-resource environments due high burden of tobacco-related disease they experience.

AIMS AND METHODS

The study utilized a subset of data (N = 177 individuals who smoke) generated from a randomized clinical trial that is evaluating the efficacy of working memory training for improving health-related outcomes. Participants were randomized to complete up to 15 sessions of the active, working memory training or a control training.

RESULTS

Findings showed that among participants who were randomized to the working memory condition, those with higher rates of baseline DD demonstrated decreases in cigarette smoking (p = .05). Conversely, individuals randomized to the control condition, who had higher rates of baseline DD exhibited increases in cigarette smoking (p = .025).

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that DD may be an important indicator of working memory training outcomes and a possible approach for effectively targeting treatments in the future.

IMPLICATIONS

DD is important indicator of working memory training outcomes on cigarette smoking. The findings suggest the possibility to effectively target treatments considering the impact of DD. Given that rates of DD tend to be higher among individuals from low-resource communities, and that computer-based working memory training programs are relatively low-cost and scalable, these findings suggest this approach may have specific utility for adults at heightened risk for cigarette use.This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier NCT03501706).

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor as a Potential Biomarker of Neuroinflammation and Frontal Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder

(1) Background: Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is associated with functional disruption of several brain structures that may trigger cognitive dysfunction. One of the mechanisms of alcohol-associated cognitive impairment has been proposed to arise from its direct impact on the immune system, which culminates in the release of cytokines and chemokines which can eventually reach the brain. Alcohol can also disrupt the blood–brain barrier, facilitating the penetration of pro-inflammatory molecules throughout vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA). Thus, alcohol-induced alterations in chemokines and VEGFA might contribute to the neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment associated with AUD. (2) Methods: The present cross-sectional study investigates whether patients with AUD (n = 86) present cognitive disability associated to alterations in plasma concentration of SDF-1, fractalkine, eotaxin, MCP-1, MIP-1α and VEGFA when compared to control subjects (n = 51). (3) Results: The analysis indicated that SDF-1 and MCP-1 concentrations were higher in AUD patients than in controls. Concentrations of VEGFA were higher in AUD patients with severe frontal deficits, and the score of frontal lobe functions was negatively correlated with VEGFA and fractalkine. Acute alcohol effects on VEGFA plasma levels in healthy volunteers demonstrated the induction of VEGFA release by heavy alcohol drinking. VEGFA was positively correlated with pro-inflammatory chemokines in AUD patients with frontal cognitive impairment. (4) Conclusions: we propose VEGFA/chemokine monitoring as biomarkers of potential cognitive impairment in AUD patients.

Effect of alcohol use disorder family history on cognitive function

BACKGROUND

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with cognitive deficits but little is known to what degree this is caused by genetically influenced traits, i.e. endophenotypes, present before the onset of the disorder. The aim of the current study was to investigate to what degree family history (FH) of AUD is associated with cognitive functions.

METHODS

Case-control cross-sectional study at an outpatient addiction research clinic. Treatment-seeking AUD patients (n = 106) were compared to healthy controls (HC; n = 90), matched for age and sex. The HC group was further subdivided into AUD FH positive (FH+; n = 47) or negative (FH-; n = 39) based on the Family Tree Questionnaire. Participants underwent psychiatric and substance use assessments, completed the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale and performed a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests assessing response inhibition, decision making, attention, working memory, and emotional recognition.

RESULTS

Compared to HC, AUD patients exhibited elevated self-rated impulsivity (p < 0.001; d = 0.62), as well as significantly poorer response inhibition (p = 0.001; d = 0.51), attention (p = 0.021; d = 0.38) and information gathering in decision making (p = 0.073; d = 0.34). Similar to AUD patients, FH+ individuals exhibited elevated self-rated impulsivity (p = 0.096; d = 0.46), and in addition significantly worse future planning capacity (p < 0.001; d = 0.76) and prolonged emotional recognition response time (p = 0.010; d = 0.60) compared to FH-, while no other significant differences were found between FH+ and FH-.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated impulsivity, poor performance in future planning and emotional processing speed may be potential cognitive endophenotypes in AUD. These cognitive domains represent putative targets for prevention strategies and treatment of AUD.

Substance use disorder and obesogenic eating: Does working memory training strengthen ability to abstain from unwanted behaviors? A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Abstaining from unwanted behaviors requires a sufficient balance between the executive and impulsive cognitive systems. Working memory (WM) is a vital component of both systems, identified in a wide range of research as the central and dominant component of executive function. WM potentially modulates the desires, tendencies, and behaviors specific to and seen in individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) and obesogenic eating (OE). Compared to healthy populations, research has shown individuals with SUD, as well as those who display OE, to have some degree of executive dysfunction, and both conditions have far-reaching health care implications. Additionally, these deficits are associated with impulsive behavior. Research has proposed that impulsive and so-called reward-driven responses could be altered through cognitive therapy and that both SUD and OE could benefit from working memory training (WMT).

METHOD

In this narrative review, we systematically align extant empirical reasoning and evidence with these assumptions. Our main aim is to ascertain and summarize the value of WMT for the treatment of both SUD and food reward consummatory behaviors. As a means to include detailed narrative accounts of all papers of potential value, our thresholds for meaningful improvements in both WM and unwanted behaviors are broad.

RESULTS

The results from the eleven qualifying studies are as follows: Nine of ten studies show a significant positive training effect of WMT on one or more components of WM capacity; three of six eligible papers (two on alcohol and one on opioid addiction) deliver notable improvements in SUD in response to WMT. One of two suitable studies showed WMT to be a moderately efficacious form of therapy for OE. Conversely, WMT appears to have negligible therapeutic benefit for cognitive function deficits or psychopathology unrelated to WM, suggesting that WMT has unique treatment efficacy for impulsive human behaviors.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, more rigorous and uniform studies on WMT and impulsive harmful behaviors are required to give proof of the benefits of this potential useful treatment.

Cognitive boosting interventions for impulsivity in addiction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cognitive training, remediation and pharmacological enhancement

AIMS

To evaluate and compare the effects of three cognitive boosting intervention approaches (computerised cognitive training, cognitive remediation and pharmacological cognitive enhancers) on measures of impulsive action and impulsive choice.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis of publications that reported original controlled trials of cognitive boosting interventions.

SETTING

Studies conducted anywhere in the world. No language restrictions were applied.

PARTICIPANTS

Treatment-seeking adults with substance use disorder or gambling disorder.

MEASUREMENTS

Our primary outcome was a reduction in impulsive action or choice on a validated cognitive measure post-intervention. We assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane Collaboration tool and determined pooled estimates from published reports. We performed random-effects analyses for impulsive action and impulsive choice outcomes and planned moderator analyses.

FINDINGS

Of 2204 unique studies identified, 60 were included in the full-text review. Twenty-three articles were considered eligible for inclusion in the qualitative synthesis and 16 articles were included in our meta-analysis. Articles eligible for pooled analyses included five working memory training (computerised cognitive training) studies with 236 participants, three goal management training (cognitive remediation) studies with 99 participants, four modafinil (cognitive enhancer) studies with 160 participants and four galantamine (cognitive enhancer) studies with 131 participants. Study duration ranged from 5 days to 13 weeks, with immediate follow-up assessments. There were no studies identified that specifically targeted gambling disorder. We only found evidence for a benefit on impulsive choice of goal management training, although only in two studies involving 66 participants (standardised mean difference (SMD) = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.49-1.23; P = 0.02; I²  = 0%, P = 0.95).

CONCLUSION

Cognitive remediation, and specifically goal management training, may be an effective treatment for addressing impulsive choice in addiction. Preliminary evidence does not support the use of computerised cognitive training or pharmacological enhancers to boost impulse control in addiction.

Self-rated impulsivity in healthy individuals, substance use disorder and ADHD: psychometric properties of the Swedish Barratt impulsiveness scale

BACKGROUND

Impulsivity is associated with several psychiatric disorders, including substance use disorders (SUD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A widely used questionnaire to assess impulsivity is the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), and the aim of the current study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the BIS (swe-BIS).

METHODS

The original BIS was translated to Swedish and back-translated by an authorized translator. The swe-BIS was administered to healthy controls (n = 113), patients with alcohol use disorder (n = 97), amphetamine use disorder (n = 37) and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD; n = 26). A subset of subjects (n = 62) completed the swe-BIS twice within 1 week. Psychometric evaluation of the swe-BIS included assessment of different indices of reliability (internal consistency, test-retest and agreement) and validity (response processess, divergent and convergent). Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were performed to assess several indices of model fit in five different models based on previously suggested subscales.

RESULTS

Cronbach's alpha for all swe-BIS items in the full sample was 0.89, ranging from 0.78-0.87 within the different subgroups. The Pearson test-retest correlation for total score was 0.78 (p < 0.001), with greater test-retest correlations within compared to across different subscales. The Bland-Altman plot indicated high level of agreement between test and retest. The healthy individuals had lower swe-BIS score compared to the patients (t(267.3) = - 8.6; p < 0.001), and the swe-BIS total score was also significantly different between each of the four participant groups (p < 0.01 for all group comparisons). Furthermore, swe-BIS had greater correlations with impulsivity related scales compared to non-impulsivity related scales. The CFA analyses indicated that while no suggested model showed an optimal fit, the best model fit indices was found for the 3-factor model.

CONCLUSIONS

The swe-BIS was found to have good to excellent psychometric properties with respect to the assessed indices of reliability and validity, supporting use of the scale in clinical research in both healthy individuals and patients with SUD and ADHD.

Cognitive Training Effectiveness on Memory, Executive Functioning, and Processing Speed in Individuals With Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review

Background: Cerebral neuroplasticity is compromised due to substance abuse. There is damage to neuronal areas that are involved in memory and executive functioning. Treatments with worse outcomes are often associated with cognitive deficits that have resulted from substance dependence. However, there is evidence that cognitive training can lead to improvements in cognitive functions and can be useful when treating addictions. This systematic review aims to synthesize evidence on the effectiveness of cognitive training in memory, executive functioning, and processing speed in individuals with substance use disorder (SUD).

Methods: The Joanna Briggs Institute's PICO strategy was used to develop this systematic literature review. Four databases were searched (PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and PsycINFO) to identify controlled randomized clinical studies and quasi-experimental studies, in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, from 1985 to 2019. The literature found was examined by two independent reviewers, who assessed the quality of studies that met the inclusion criteria. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for the randomized controlled trials and the ROBINS-I tool for non-randomized studies were used to assess the risk of bias. In data extraction, the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews was considered.

Results: From a total of 470 studies, 319 were selected for analysis after the elimination of duplicates. According to the inclusion criteria defined, 26 studies were eligible and evaluated. An evaluation was performed considering the participant characteristics, countries, substance type, study and intervention details, and key findings. Of the 26 selected studies, 14 considered only alcoholics, six included participants with various SUD (alcohol and other substances), three exclusively looked into methamphetamine-consuming users and another three into opioid/methadone users. Moreover, 18 studies found some kind of cognitive improvement, with two of these reporting only marginally significant effects. One study found improvements only in measures similar to the training tasks, and two others had ambiguous results.

Conclusions: The included studies revealed the benefits of cognitive training with regard to improving cognitive functions in individuals with SUD. Memory was the most scrutinized cognitive function in this type of intervention, and it is also one of the areas most affected by substance use.

Systematic Review Registration: [PROSPERO], identifier [CRD42020161039].

The effect of N-acetylcysteine and working memory training on glutamate concentrations in the dACC and rACC in regular cocaine users - A randomized proof of concept study

INTRODUCTION

Current treatments for cocaine use disorder (CUD) are not very effective and better treatments are needed. This study investigates the effectiveness of a combined intervention that targets the assumed underlying glutamate pathology in cocaine users. To this end, the combined effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and working memory (WM) training on glutamate concentrations in the dorsal and rostral ACC were investigated in a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled design.

METHODS

In this study, 38 regular cocaine-using men were randomized to either 25-days with 2400 mg/day NAC and WM-training or 25 days with placebo with WM-training. Cocaine use, impulsivity, and glutamate concentrations in the dACC and rACC using proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy were assessed at baseline and after treatment.

RESULTS

Twenty-four participants completed the study, of which 9 received NAC and 15 received placebo. There were no baseline correlations of glutamate concentrations in the dACC or rACC with cocaine use measures or impulsivity. Additionally, there were no effects of NAC, WM-training, or the combination thereof on (changes in) glutamate concentrations in the dACC or rACC.

DISCUSSION

This randomized proof of concept study could not confirm our hypotheses. Possible explanations are insufficient power and the possible absence of deviant baseline glutamate concentrations in the included participants. Future studies should consider larger samples and a non-using control group to confirm baseline deviations in glutamate in cocaine users.

Rehabilitation Gaming System for Alcohol-Related Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Usability Study

AIMS

Cognitive impairment in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) is highly prevalent, and it negatively impacts treatment outcome. However, this condition is neither systematically assessed nor treated. Thus, we aimed to explore the usability of a virtual reality-based protocol ('Rehabilitation Gaming System', RGS) for patients with AUD.

METHODS

Twenty AUD patients (50% also cognitive impairment) underwent a single session of the RGS protocol (four cognitive training tasks, 10 minutes each). System Usability Scale (SUS) and Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ) were applied to assess the RGS usability and patients' satisfaction with it. Also, the Perceived Competence Scale was administered to assess the patients' feelings of competence when using the training protocol. Comparisons of the responses to these questionnaires were performed between AUD patients with cognitive impairment and those without cognitive impairment.

RESULTS

RGS usability was very positively rated (median SUS score = 80, Interquartile Range, IQR = 68.13-86-88). No significant differences were found in the median SUS scores for any of the sociodemographic or clinical variables, excepting for gender (women median score = 85; IQR = 80-94.38 vs. men median score = 71.25; IQR = 61.25-89.25; P-value = 0.035). The quality of the information provided by the RGS training scenarios and the usability were positively rated (PSSUQ), and patients experienced high feelings of competence.

CONCLUSIONS

The RGS has been found to be usable in the short term and patients with AUD stated to be satisfied with it. Future larger, randomized trials are needed to explore the effectiveness of this tool to help overcome the cognitive deficits in AUD patients.

A unifying translational framework to advance treatment research for comorbid PTSD and substance use disorders

We provide a unifying translational framework that can be used to synthesize extant lines of human laboratory research in four neurofunctional domains that underlie the co-occurrence of posttraumatic stress and substance use disorders (PTSD+SUD). We draw upon the Alcohol and Addiction Research Domain Criteria (AARDOC) to include executive functioning, negative emotionality, reward, and added social cognition from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Research Domain Criteria into our framework. We review research findings across each of the four domains, emphasizing human experimental studies in PTSD, SUD, and PTSD+SUD for each domain. We also discuss the implications of research findings for treatment development by considering new ways of conceptualizing risk factors and outcomes at the level of the individual patient, which will enhance treatment matching and advance innovations in intervention.

Brain+ AlcoRecover: A Randomized Controlled Pilot-Study and Feasibility Study of Multiple-Domain Cognitive Training Using a Serious Gaming App for Treating Alcohol Use Disorders

Background: Patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) exhibit deficits in various cognitive domains, including executive functioning, working memory, and learning and memory, which impede the effectiveness of conventional AUD treatment and enhance relapse. Mobile health (mHealth) services are promising in terms of delivering cognitive training in gamified versions. So far, studies examining the effects of mHealth-based cognitive training in AUD patients have, however, focused on specific rather than multiple cognitive domains and overlooked the importance of clinical outcomes. Furthermore, research has yet to investigate the acceptability and feasibility of this type of cognitive training. Aims: The aims of this pilot study are to examine (1) whether using smartphone-based, multi-domain cognitive training with gamified elements as part of conventional treatment for AUD indicate effect, and (2) whether the intervention is acceptable and feasible as a part of conventional treatment for AUD. Methods: Patients from the alcohol outpatient clinic, Odense Municipality, Denmark will be invited to participate in the study on a consecutive basis until a total of 60 patients have been recruited. The study will be performed as a combined parallel randomized controlled trial (RCT) and qualitative feasibility study. The patients will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group (n = 30) will receive smartphone-based, multi-domain cognitive training with gamified elements together with treatment as usual (TAU). The active control group (n = 30) will receive a sham version of the same cognitive training together with TAU. Cognitive outcomes will be assessed via the training application at baseline and post-treatment. Clinical outcomes will be assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and at 6-month follow-up using the Addiction Severity Index. Furthermore, the 30 patients randomized to the intervention group will be invited to participate in the second phase, that is the feasibility study, at post-treatment. A questionnaire inquiring about the use of mHealth treatment in general will be administered. Further, feedback regarding functionality and meaningfulness of the application in addition to other qualitative aspects relating to the use of the application will be collected. The patients will also be asked to provide suggestions about how to improve and potentially implement the tool. Implications: It is anticipated that this pilot study will provide tentative evidence for the effectiveness of smartphone-based, multi-domain cognitive training as well as information about the usability and feasibility of this type of training, including acceptability and compliance. The study will also contribute with feedback derived from the patients about how to improve and implement the tool. If promising, the findings will be used to plan a large-scale RCT. Since cognitive deficits are not addressed in current treatments for AUD, gamified cognitive training delivered through smartphones may increase the effectiveness of current treatment for AUD as well as introduce more mHealth-based treatment that is both accessible and cost-effective.

The role of glutamate mGlu5 and adenosine A2a receptor interactions in regulating working memory performance and persistent cocaine seeking in rats

Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is associated with neurobehavioral deficits that are resistant to current treatments. While craving and high rates of relapse are prominent features of CUD, persistent cognitive impairments are common and linked to poorer treatment outcomes. Here we sought to develop an animal model to study post-cocaine changes in drug seeking and working memory, and to evaluate 'therapeutic' effects of combined glutamate mGlu5 and adenosine A2a receptor blockade. As mGlu5 antagonists reduce drug seeking, and A2a blockade ameliorates working memory impairment, we hypothesized that mGlu5 + A2a antagonist cocktail would reduce both cocaine relapse and post-cocaine working memory deficits. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were first trained and tested in an operant delayed match-to-sample (DMS) task to establish the working memory baseline, followed by 6 days of limited and 12 days of extended access cocaine self-administration. Chronic cocaine reduced working memory performance (abstinence day 30-40) and produced robust time-dependent cocaine seeking at 45-, but not 120-days of abstinence. Systemic administration of A2a antagonist KW-6002 (0.125 and 1 mg/kg) failed to rescue post-cocaine working memory deficit. It also failed to reverse working memory impairment produced by mGlu5 NAM MTEP (1 mg/kg). Finally, KW-6002 prevented the ability of MTEP to reduce cocaine seeking and increased locomotor behavior. Thus, despite mGlu5 and A2a being exclusively co-localized in the striatum and showing behavioral synergism towards reducing cocaine effects in some studies, our findings advocate against the use of mGlu5 + A2a antagonist cocktail as it may further compromise cognitive deficits and augment drug craving in CUD.

Brain Structure and Function in Recovery

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) commonly is associated with compromise in neurobiological and/or neurobehavioral processes. The severity of this compromise varies across individuals and outcomes, as does the degree to which recovery of function is achieved. This narrative review first summarizes neurobehavioral, neurophysiological, structural, and neurochemical aberrations/deficits that are frequently observed in people with AUD after detoxification. Subsequent sections review improvements across these domains during recovery, taking into account modulators of recovery to the extent permitted. Where appropriate, the discussion includes work integrating outcomes across domains, leveraging the strengths of diverse experimental methods. Interventions to ameliorate neurobiological or neurobehavioral deficits do not constitute a primary objective of this review. However, their consideration is a logical inclusion. Therefore, a limited introduction to existing methods is also presented.

A systematic review of treatments for alcohol-related cognitive impairment: lessons from the past and gaps for future interventions

Alcohol-related cognitive impairment (ARCI) is highly prevalent among patients with alcohol dependence. Although it negatively influences treatment outcome, this condition is underdiagnosed and undertreated. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the existing evidence regarding both cognitive and pharmacological interventions for ARCI. We systematically reviewed PubMed, Scopus and Science direct databases up to May 2019 and followed the PRISMA guidelines. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Jadad Scale. Twenty-six studies were eligible for inclusion (14 referring to neuropsychological interventions and 12 to pharmacological treatments). Among neuropsychological interventions, computerised treatments, errorless learning and component method showed positive effects on working memory, memory measures and general cognitive function. On the other hand, thiamine, memantine and methylphenidate improved working memory, long-term memory and general cognitive function. Nevertheless, these studies have several limitations, such as small sample size, lack of replication of the results or low specificity of the interventions. Therefore, no gold-standard intervention can yet be recommended for clinical practice, and further research based on promising strategies (e.g. digital interventions, thiamine) is required.

A randomised double-blind trial of cognitive training for the prevention of psychopathology in at-risk youth

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of online cognitive training as a means of reducing psychopathology in at-risk youth.

METHODS

In a double-blind randomised controlled trial, 228 youths (mean age = 18.6, 74.6% female) were randomly allocated to either an intervention group (n = 114; online cognitive training focused on executive functioning) and a control group (n = 114; online cognitive training focused on other cognitive abilities). Participants were assessed online at baseline, post-training, 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-up. The primary outcome of the study was overall psychopathology as measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes were executive functioning ability (assessed using the n-back, trail-making and Stroop tasks), day-to-day functioning and risky drinking.

RESULTS

Mixed model intention-to-treat analyses indicated that psychopathology increased and day-to-day functioning decreased, regardless of intervention group. Those in the intervention group improved more than those in the control group in terms of the n-back task, but this was not statistically significant after adjusting for multiple comparisons. There were no statistically significant effects on risky drinking, or the trail-making and Stroop tasks.

CONCLUSION

This study failed to provide evidence for the efficacy of cognitive training as a stand-alone intervention for psychopathology.

Cognition and addiction

In this targeted review, we summarize current knowledge on substance-use disorder (SUD)-related cognitive deficits, the link between these deficits and clinical outcomes, and the cognitive training, remediation, and pharmacological approaches that have the potential to rescue cognition. We conclude that: (i) people with SUDs have moderate deficits in memory, attention, executive functions, and decision-making (including reward expectancy, valuation, and learning); (ii) deficits in higher-order executive functions and decision-making are significant predictors of relapse; (iii) cognitive training programs targeting reward-related appetitive biases, cognitive remediation strategies targeting goal-based decision-making, and pharmacotherapies targeting memory, attention, and impulsivity have potential to rescue SUD-related cognitive deficits. We suggest avenues for future research, including developing brief, clinically oriented harmonized cognitive testing suites to improve individualized prediction of treatment outcomes; computational modeling that can achieve deep phenotyping of cognitive subtypes likely to respond to different interventions; and phenotype-targeted cognitive, pharmacological, and combined interventions. We conclude with a tentative model of neuroscience-informed precision medicine.


Random Forest Classification of Alcohol Use Disorder Using EEG Source Functional Connectivity, Neuropsychological Functioning, and Impulsivity Measures

: Individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) manifest a variety of impairments that can be attributed to alterations in specific brain networks. The current study aims to identify features of EEG-based functional connectivity, neuropsychological performance, and impulsivity that can classify individuals with AUD (N = 30) from unaffected controls (CTL, N = 30) using random forest classification. The features included were: (i) EEG source functional connectivity (FC) of the default mode network (DMN) derived using eLORETA algorithm, (ii) neuropsychological scores from the Tower of London test (TOLT) and the visual span test (VST), and (iii) impulsivity factors from the Barratt impulsiveness scale (BIS). The random forest model achieved a classification accuracy of 80% and identified 29 FC connections (among 66 connections per frequency band), 3 neuropsychological variables from VST (total number of correctly performed trials in forward and backward sequences and average time for correct trials in forward sequence) and all four impulsivity scores (motor, non-planning, attentional, and total) as significantly contributing to classifying individuals as either AUD or CTL. Although there was a significant age difference between the groups, most of the top variables that contributed to the classification were not significantly correlated with age. The AUD group showed a predominant pattern of hyperconnectivity among 25 of 29 significant connections, indicating aberrant network functioning during resting state suggestive of neural hyperexcitability and impulsivity. Further, parahippocampal hyperconnectivity with other DMN regions was identified as a major hub region dysregulated in AUD (13 connections overall), possibly due to neural damage from chronic drinking, which may give rise to cognitive impairments, including memory deficits and blackouts. Furthermore, hypoconnectivity observed in four connections (prefrontal nodes connecting posterior right-hemispheric regions) may indicate a weaker or fractured prefrontal connectivity with other regions, which may be related to impaired higher cognitive functions. The AUD group also showed poorer memory performance on the VST task and increased impulsivity in all factors compared to controls. Features from all three domains had significant associations with one another. These results indicate that dysregulated neural connectivity across the DMN regions, especially relating to hyperconnected parahippocampal hub as well as hypoconnected prefrontal hub, may potentially represent neurophysiological biomarkers of AUD, while poor visual memory performance and heightened impulsivity may serve as cognitive-behavioral indices of AUD.

Association of parental substance use disorder with offspring cognition: a population family-based study

AIMS

To assess whether parental substance use disorder (SUD) is associated with lower cognitive ability in offspring, and whether the association is independent of shared genetic factors.

DESIGN

A population family-based cohort study utilizing national Swedish registries. Linear regression with increased adjustment of covariates was performed in the full population. In addition, the mechanism of the association was investigated with children-of-sibling analyses using fixed-effects regression with three types of sibling parents with increasing genetic relatedness (half-siblings, full siblings and monozygotic twins).

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

A total of 3 004 401 people born in Sweden between 1951 and 1998.

MEASUREMENTS

The exposure variable was parental SUD, operationalized as having a parent with life-time SUD diagnosis or substance-related criminal conviction in the National Patient Register or Crime Register, respectively. Outcomes were cognitive test score at military conscription and final school grades when graduating from compulsory school. Covariates included in the analyses were sex, birth year, parental education, parental migration status and parental psychiatric comorbid diagnoses.

FINDINGS

In the full population, parental SUD was associated with decreased cognitive test stanine scores at conscription [4.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 4.55-4.57] and lower Z-standardized school grades (-0.43, 95% CI = -0.43 to -0.42) compared to people with no parental SUD (cognitive test: 5.17, 95% CI = 5.17-5.18; grades: 0.09, 95% CI = 0.08-0.09). There was evidence of a dose-response relationship, in that having two parents with SUD (cognitive test: 4.17, 95% CI = 4.15-4.20; grades: -0.83, 95% CI = -0.84 to -0.82) was associated with even lower cognitive ability than having one parent with SUD (cognitive test: 4.60, 95% CI = 4.59-4.60; grades: -0.38, 95% CI = -0.39 to -0.380). In the children-of-siblings analyses when accounting for genetic relatedness, these negative associations were attenuated, suggestive of shared underlying genetic factors.

CONCLUSIONS

There appear to be shared genetic factors between parental substance use disorder (SUD) and offspring cognitive function, suggesting that cognitive deficits may constitute a genetically transmitted risk factor in SUD.

Cognitive training as a component of treatment of alcohol use disorder: A review

OBJECTIVE

Cognitive training is an effective means of improving performance in a range of populations. Whether it may serve to facilitate cognitive recovery and longer-term outcomes in persons with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) is unclear. Here, we review historical and current literature and offer perspectives for model development and potential implementation.

METHOD

We considered a large literature regarding the nature of alcohol-related compromise, early efforts to clarify the nature of recovery and current models and methods underlying cognitive training paradigms. We then constructed a narrative review demonstrating evolving frameworks and empirical data informing the critical review of cognitive training methods as a means of mitigating compromise and facilitating functional outcomes.

RESULTS

Cognitive improvement with abstinence is generally noted, but training protocols may enhance performance and generalize benefit to untrained, but highly similar, tasks. Transfer of training to dissimilar tasks and functional outcomes is uncommonly reported. It is noteworthy that some work suggests that clinician ratings for participants are improved. Inconsistency in sample characteristics, training protocols, and outcome measures constrain general conclusions while suggesting opportunities for study and development.

CONCLUSIONS

Cognitive training protocols have shown benefit in a variety of populations but have been examined infrequently in persons with AUDs. This overview indicates significant opportunity for cognitive improvement and recovery and thus a strong potential role for training protocols. However, supportive data are not robustly obtained. We suggest that one step in bridging this gap is the implementation of a conceptual framework incorporating contextual, behavioral, and neurobiological variables. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Training attention in children with acquired brain injury: a study protocol of a randomised controlled trial of the TALI attention training programme

INTRODUCTION

Childhood inattention has been linked with poor academic outcomes, and increased lifetime social, occupational and psychiatric morbidity. Children with an acquired brain injury (ABI) are particularly susceptible to attention deficits and may benefit from interventions aimed at enhancing attention. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the short-term efficacy of the TALI Train programme, compared with a placebo, on the outcome of attention in children with ABI.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The study is a parallel, double-blind, randomised controlled trial. Participants will consist of 80 children with a diagnosis of ABI aged 4-9 years 11 months. Participants will be randomly allocated to either (1) TALI Train (intervention group), an adaptive game-based attention training programme, or (2) a non-adaptive placebo programme (control group). Both programmes are delivered on a touchscreen tablet, and children complete five 20 min sessions per week for a 5-week period at home. Assessment of selective, sustained and executive attention (primary outcomes), and behavioural attention, working memory, social skills and mathematics ability (secondary outcomes) will occur at baseline, post-training, and at 3-month and 6-month follow-up to assess immediate and long-term efficacy of TALI Train compared with placebo. Assessments will be completed at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. All assessments and analyses will be undertaken by researchers blinded to group membership. Latent growth curve modelling will be employed to examine primary and secondary outcomes.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethics approval has been obtained from the Royal Children's Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) (38132) and the Monash University HREC (17446). Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations, media outlets, the internet and various community/stakeholder activities.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ACTRN12619000511134.

Weaker Memory Performance Exacerbates Stress-Induced Cannabis Craving in Youths' Daily Lives

Theories of addiction posit that stimuli associated with drug use, including both exteroceptive (e.g., paraphernalia) and interoceptive (e.g., feeling tense or "stressed"), evoke craving and contribute to the pathogenesis of substance misuse. Control over drug cue response and stress is essential for moderating use. Building from laboratory data supporting associations between cue exposure, stress, and craving, this study tested whether these associations generalize to real-world settings and examined whether a well-vetted neurocognitive control capacity, i.e., working memory (WM), moderated associations. Youth (N = 85; 15-24 years) completed baseline and ecological momentary assessments. Cue exposure and participants' average stress predicted higher craving. Youth with weaker WM experienced stronger craving at higher-stress moments but not when faced with cues. Interactions were present for both previous-moment and same-moment stress. Craving among adolescents with stronger WM was not swayed by momentary stress. Findings suggest stronger WM protects against craving at more stressful moments.

Combining approach bias modification with working memory training during inpatient alcohol withdrawal: an open-label pilot trial of feasibility and acceptability

Background

According to contemporary neurocognitive models, addiction is maintained by the biasing of information-processing and decision-making systems towards relatively automatic, impulsive, reward-seeking responses to drug-related stimuli, and away from more controlled, deliberative, “reflective” states of processing that could result in decisions to delay or avoid drug use. Cognitive training programs aimed at either countering “impulsive” processing or enhancing “reflective” processing alone have shown promise. However, there has been no attempt to simultaneously target both aspects of processing with a combined training program. We aimed to test the feasibility and acceptability of a novel ‘dual-training’ program targeting both processes during residential alcohol withdrawal, and to measure abstinence rates following discharge.

Methods

Thirty-seven patients undergoing alcohol withdrawal at a residential unit participated in this open-label pilot feasibility study. We tested a 4-session program of dual cognitive training targeting both impulsive (approach bias) and reflective (working memory) aspects of processing. Descriptive statistics were used to examine feasibility (training uptake and completion rates) and acceptability (withdrawal from the study; participants’ ratings of the tasks). Alcohol abstinence rates were examined 2-weeks post-discharge.

Results

Seven participants withdrew after commencing training. Twenty-six (70%) completed the 4-session training protocol, and four completed 3 sessions before discharging. Among participants who provided ratings, nearly all (93%) rated the training as interesting. Most (87%) indicated that they felt it had improved their attention. However, most did not feel it had decreased their craving for alcohol. At 2-weeks post-discharge, 16 (53%) participants reported abstaining from alcohol. For comparison, an earlier pilot trial in the same setting found a 68% abstinence rate with approach bias training alone, and 47% abstinence in a non-training control group.

Conclusions

Dual training during residential alcohol detoxification appears to be both acceptable and feasible, suggesting that future research is warranted to test its effectiveness at reducing likelihood of relapse.

Interventions with potential to target executive function deficits in addiction: current state of the literature

The inability to stop or reduce substance use despite motivation to do so is thought to result, in part, from self-control failure and can be understood within the framework of dual process models of addiction. These models view addictive behavior as the relative balance between automatic impulses and executive decision processes. This review focuses on treatments that aim to improve executive decision processes which often become dysregulated and ineffective in individuals with substance use disorders. It is posited that improving these executive function deficits should restore control over automatic impulses and drug seeking behavior.

A Roadmap for Integrating Neuroscience Into Addiction Treatment: A Consensus of the Neuroscience Interest Group of the International Society of Addiction Medicine

Although there is general consensus that altered brain structure and function underpins addictive disorders, clinicians working in addiction treatment rarely incorporate neuroscience-informed approaches into their practice. We recently launched the Neuroscience Interest Group within the International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM-NIG) to promote initiatives to bridge this gap. This article summarizes the ISAM-NIG key priorities and strategies to achieve implementation of addiction neuroscience knowledge and tools for the assessment and treatment of substance use disorders. We cover two assessment areas: cognitive assessment and neuroimaging, and two interventional areas: cognitive training/remediation and neuromodulation, where we identify key challenges and proposed solutions. We reason that incorporating cognitive assessment into clinical settings requires the identification of constructs that predict meaningful clinical outcomes. Other requirements are the development of measures that are easily-administered, reliable, and ecologically-valid. Translation of neuroimaging techniques requires the development of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and testing the cost-effectiveness of these biomarkers in individualized prediction algorithms for relapse prevention and treatment selection. Integration of cognitive assessments with neuroimaging can provide multilevel targets including neural, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes for neuroscience-informed interventions. Application of neuroscience-informed interventions including cognitive training/remediation and neuromodulation requires clear pathways to design treatments based on multilevel targets, additional evidence from randomized trials and subsequent clinical implementation, including evaluation of cost-effectiveness. We propose to address these challenges by promoting international collaboration between researchers and clinicians, developing harmonized protocols and data management systems, and prioritizing multi-site research that focuses on improving clinical outcomes.