The neurobiology of substance use and addiction: evidence from neuroimaging and relevance to treatment

Neurophysiological correlates of trait and behavioral impulsivity across methamphetamine and gambling Addiction

Investigating neurophysiological markers linked to impulsivity in individuals with gambling and methamphetamine addiction using resting-state EEG data offers valuable insights into the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms associated with impulsivity in individuals with addiction. This study aims to use resting-state EEG to explore the connection between various types of addiction and different aspects of impulsivity. Participants from the methamphetamine, gambling, and healthy control groups (abbreviation: MA, GB, HC) underwent EEG recordings and completed measures of impulsivity. Group differences in trait scores and behavioral tendencies were analyzed. Abnormal connections with node linkage and importance changes were analyzed through the resting-state EEG power spectral and network analyses. Further, relationships between impulsivity scores and connectivity differences in groups were explored through correlation analysis. Finally, these abnormal connections related to impulsivity were tested for their effect of distinguishing individuals with addiction from healthy controls through the ROC analysis. Results revealed that GB displayed the highest trait impulsivity on the overall score, while MA exhibited greater attentional impulsivity. Variations in behavioral impulsivity were reflected in response times. Resting-state EEG analysis showed higher beta power in GB. Specific channel pairs demonstrated abnormal connections and altered connectivity patterns in the beta band, with MA displaying a less efficient network compared to GB. Correlation analyses uncovered associations between impulsivity scores and connectivity, which were influenced by group differences. Furthermore, resting-state EEG connections effectively differentiated individuals with addiction from healthy controls. Overall, this study contributes valuable insights into the neural mechanisms of addiction-related impulsivity, emphasizing the potential of resting-state EEG connections as an important neurophysiological correlate.

An Intricated pas de deux of Addicted Brain and Body Is Orchestrated by Stress and Neuroplasticity

Dependence on psychoactive substances is a phenomenon that is based on the alterations of common molecular and cellular mechanisms, structures and neuronal networks underlying normal brain functioning and realizing stress response, reinforcement and aversion, learning and memory. As a result, aberrant neuroplasticity states associated with somatic changes are formed, which determine the pathogenesis and symptoms of dependence and at the same time can be considered as targets for the development of therapies for such addictions. An integrative scheme of stress and neuroplastic changes participation in the formation of the vicious circle of substance use disorders based on a holistic approach is presented. This special issue of the journal focuses on the molecular mechanisms of psychoactive substance use disorders.

Employment and mental health for adults on probation, 2002-2021

BACKGROUND

The 21st century has seen a decline in employment rates in the US at the same time that it has experienced a historically unprecedented rise in the numbers of adults under criminal justice system control. Both low employment and high incarceration have posed serious challenges for public health.

METHODS

Using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2002-2021, we estimated employment rates by community supervision status. Variations by sociodemographic subgroups were explored as well as correlations between employment and a range of mental and behavioural health variables.

RESULTS

Those on probation were twice as likely as those not to live in poverty. They experienced higher rates of poor mental and behavioural health, including three times the rate of substance use. Employment rates varied little by community supervision status. Health risk factors were associated with more risk and protective factors did less to mitigate risk for those under community supervision.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the range of adversities faced by individuals under criminal justice system control, their employment rates are remarkably close to those not. Despite near equivalent involvement in the labour force, this population has substantially poorer health and substantially reduced likelihood of escaping poverty.

Comparison of psychological reactions, fear of negative evaluation and mood-emotional alexithymia in successful and unsuccessful people in addiction recovery: a survey of Baluchestan in Iran

The aim of this study was to examine psychological responses, fear of negative evaluation, and mood-related alexithymia in individuals in addiction recovery who have succeeded versus those who have not. This study employed a causal-comparative design. The research focused on all individuals who sought treatment for addiction at clinics within a specific district in Zahedan city, Iran. Out of the group, 100 individuals were chosen (50 who successfully stopped their addiction and 50 who were unsuccessful in their attempts to quit) through convenience sampling. Data were gathered using the depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Lori's fear of negative evaluation scale, and Toronto's mood-emotional alexithymia scale. Data were examined through both descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis of variance. Based on the results, successful and unsuccessful individuals in addiction recovery showed varying levels of depression, stress, fear of negative evaluation, and having no fear of negative evaluation (p < .01). In simpler terms, unsuccessful individuals in addiction recovery scored higher in depression, stress, fear of negative evaluation, inability feeling emotions, inability to express feelings compared to successful individuals. But successful individuals in addiction recovery obtained higher mean scores than unsuccessful individuals in addiction recovery on having no fear of negative evaluation. According to the findings psychological reactions, fear of negative evaluation and mood-emotional alexithymia play a significant role in addiction treatment and can be helpful in addiction recovery in unsuccessful people in addiction recovery. It is feasible to enhance the effectiveness of addiction recovery by implementing interventions that target the reduction of depression, stress, fear of negative evaluation, and alexithymia.

Structural Features Influencing the Bioactive Conformation of Angiotensin II and Angiotensin A: Relationship between Receptor Desensitization, Addiction, and the Blood-Brain Barrier

The N-terminal portion of the octapeptide angiotensin II (DRVYIHPF; AngII), a vasopressor peptide that favorably binds to, and activates, AngII type 1 receptor (AT1R), has an important role in maintaining bioactive conformation. It involves all three charged groups, namely (i) the N-terminal amino group cation, (ii) the Asp sidechain anion and (iii) the Arg guanidino cation. Neutralization of any one of these three charged groups results in a substantial reduction (<5%) in bioactivity, implicating a specialized function for this cluster. In contrast, angiotensin A (ARVYIHPF; AngA) has reduced bioactivity at AT1R; however, replacement of Asp in AngII with sarcosine (N-methyl-glycine) not only restores bioactivity but increases the activity of agonist, antagonist, and inverse agonist analogues. A bend produced at the N-terminus by the introduction of the secondary amino acid sarcosine is thought to realign the functional groups that chaperone the C-terminal portion of AngII, allowing transfer of the negative charge originating at the C-terminus to be transferred to the Tyr hydroxyl-forming tyrosinate anion, which is required to activate the receptor and desensitizes the receptor (tachyphylaxis). Peptide (sarilesin) and nonpeptide (sartans) moieties, which are long-acting inverse agonists, appear to desensitize the receptor by a mechanism analogous to tachyphylaxis. Sartans/bisartans were found to bind to alpha adrenergic receptors resulting in structure-dependent desensitization or resensitization. These considerations have provided information on the mechanisms of receptor desensitization/tolerance and insights into possible avenues for treating addiction. In this regard sartans, which appear to cross the blood-brain barrier more readily than bisartans, are the preferred drug candidates.

Why do people use drugs? A neglected question

The aim of this article is to revisit the multivariate causes of drug use. From the initial drive to experiment, to a progression towards dependence, this review endeavours to extrapolate the aetiology of causation. In doing so, prevalence of, and attitudes towards drug use are firstly examined. Influences on why people use illicit drugs are subsequently explored through the lens of established risk factors. Drug use and dependence are embedded within a complex interplay of invidual, genetic, cultural, and socio-economic components. By exploring the aetiology of drug use in a holistic sense, this will not only aid the therapeutic quality of intervention from clinicians, but enable the development of more comprehensive and tailored intervention plans in supporting recovery.

Updated Perspectives on the Neurobiology of Substance Use Disorders Using Neuroimaging

Substance use problems impair social functioning, academic achievement, and employability. Psychological, biological, social, and environmental factors can contribute to substance use disorders. In recent years, neuroimaging breakthroughs have helped elucidate the mechanisms of substance misuse and its effects on the brain. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) are all examples. Neuroimaging studies suggest substance misuse affects executive function, reward, memory, and stress systems. Recent neuroimaging research attempts have provided clinicians with improved tools to diagnose patients who misuse substances, comprehend the complicated neuroanatomy and neurobiology involved, and devise individually tailored and monitorable treatment regimens for individuals with substance use disorders. This review describes the most recent developments in drug misuse neuroimaging, including the neurobiology of substance use disorders, neuroimaging, and substance use disorders, established neuroimaging techniques, recent developments with established neuroimaging techniques and substance use disorders, and emerging clinical neuroimaging technology.

Distinct neural networks predict cocaine versus cannabis treatment outcomes

Treatment outcomes for individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) are variable and more individualized approaches may be needed. Cross-validated, machine-learning methods are well-suited for probing neural mechanisms of treatment outcomes. Our prior work applied one such approach, connectome-based predictive modeling (CPM), to identify dissociable and substance-specific neural networks of cocaine and opioid abstinence. In Study 1, we aimed to replicate and extend prior work by testing the predictive ability of the cocaine network in an independent sample of 43 participants from a trial of cognitive-behavioral therapy for SUD, and evaluating its ability to predict cannabis abstinence. In Study 2, CPM was applied to identify an independent cannabis abstinence network. Additional participants were identified for a combined sample of 33 with cannabis-use disorder. Participants underwent fMRI scanning before and after treatment. Additional samples of 53 individuals with co-occurring cocaine and opioid-use disorders and 38 comparison subjects were used to assess substance specificity and network strength relative to participants without SUDs. Results demonstrated a second external replication of the cocaine network predicting future cocaine abstinence, however it did not generalize to cannabis abstinence. An independent CPM identified a novel cannabis abstinence network, which was (i) anatomically distinct from the cocaine network, (ii) specific for predicting cannabis abstinence, and for which (iii) network strength was significantly stronger in treatment responders relative to control particpants. Results provide further evidence for substance specificity of neural predictors of abstinence and provide insight into neural mechanisms of successful cannabis treatment, thereby identifying novel treatment targets. Clinical trials registation: "Computer-based training in cognitive-behavioral therapy web-based (Man VS Machine)", registration number: NCT01442597 . "Maximizing the Efficacy of Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Contingency Management", registration number: NCT00350649 . "Computer-Based Training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT4CBT)", registration number: NCT01406899 .

Psychedelic therapy in the treatment of addiction: the past, present and future

Psychedelic therapy has witnessed a resurgence in interest in the last decade from the scientific and medical communities with evidence now building for its safety and efficacy in treating a range of psychiatric disorders including addiction. In this review we will chart the research investigating the role of these interventions in individuals with addiction beginning with an overview of the current socioeconomic impact of addiction, treatment options, and outcomes. We will start by examining historical studies from the first psychedelic research era of the mid-late 1900s, followed by an overview of the available real-world evidence gathered from naturalistic, observational, and survey-based studies. We will then cover modern-day clinical trials of psychedelic therapies in addiction from first-in-human to phase II clinical trials. Finally, we will provide an overview of the different translational human neuropsychopharmacology techniques, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET), that can be applied to foster a mechanistic understanding of therapeutic mechanisms. A more granular understanding of the treatment effects of psychedelics will facilitate the optimisation of the psychedelic therapy drug development landscape, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

Genetic and epigenetic studies of opioid abuse disorder - the potential for future diagnostics

INTRODUCTION

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a global problem that often begins with prescribed medications. The available treatment and maintenance plans offer solutions for the consumption rate by individuals leaving the outstanding problem of relapse, which is a major factor hindering the long-term efficacy of treatments.

AREAS COVERED

Understanding the neurobiology of addiction and relapse would help identifying the core causes of relapse and distinguish vulnerable from resilient individuals, which would lead to more targeted and effective treatment and provide diagnostics to screen individuals who have a propensity to OUD. In this review, we cover the neurobiology of the reward system highlighting the role of multiple brain regions and opioid receptors in the development of the disorder. We also review the current knowledge of the epigenetics of addiction and the available screening tools for aberrant use of opioids.

EXPERT OPINION

Relapse remains an anticipated limitation in the way of recovery even after long period of abstinence. This highlights the need for diagnostic tools that identify vulnerable patients and prevent the cycle of addiction. Finally, we discuss the limitations of the available screening tools and propose possible solutions for the discovery of addiction diagnostics.

Challenges and future trends in wearable closed-loop neuromodulation to efficiently treat methamphetamine addiction

Achieving abstinence from drugs is a long journey and can be particularly challenging in the case of methamphetamine, which has a higher relapse rate than other drugs. Therefore, real-time monitoring of patients' physiological conditions before and when cravings arise to reduce the chance of relapse might help to improve clinical outcomes. Conventional treatments, such as behavior therapy and peer support, often cannot provide timely intervention, reducing the efficiency of these therapies. To more effectively treat methamphetamine addiction in real-time, we propose an intelligent closed-loop transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) neuromodulation system based on multimodal electroencephalogram-functional near-infrared spectroscopy (EEG-fNIRS) measurements. This review summarizes the essential modules required for a wearable system to treat addiction efficiently. First, the advantages of neuroimaging over conventional techniques such as analysis of sweat, saliva, or urine for addiction detection are discussed. The knowledge to implement wearable, compact, and user-friendly closed-loop systems with EEG and fNIRS are reviewed. The features of EEG and fNIRS signals in patients with methamphetamine use disorder are summarized. EEG biomarkers are categorized into frequency and time domain and topography-related parameters, whereas for fNIRS, hemoglobin concentration variation and functional connectivity of cortices are described. Following this, the applications of two commonly used neuromodulation technologies, transcranial direct current stimulation and TMS, in patients with methamphetamine use disorder are introduced. The challenges of implementing intelligent closed-loop TMS modulation based on multimodal EEG-fNIRS are summarized, followed by a discussion of potential research directions and the promising future of this approach, including potential applications to other substance use disorders.

The Genetically Informed Neurobiology of Addiction (GINA) model

Addictions are heritable and unfold dynamically across the lifespan. One prominent neurobiological theory proposes that substance-induced changes in neural circuitry promote the progression of addiction. Genome-wide association studies have begun to characterize the polygenic architecture undergirding addiction liability and revealed that genetic loci associated with risk can be divided into those associated with a general broad-spectrum liability to addiction and those associated with drug-specific addiction risk. In this Perspective, we integrate these genomic findings with our current understanding of the neurobiology of addiction to propose a new Genetically Informed Neurobiology of Addiction (GINA) model.

Mini-review: When neurostimulation joins cognitive-behavioral therapy. On the need of combining evidence-based treatments for addiction disorders

Substance and behavioral addiction is a global health problem related to cognitive functioning and emotional responses like top-down control and craving. The present review discusses the role of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as evidence-based treatments for addiction disorders. The discussion spans between several evidence for both therapies, also considering the difference and heterogeneity among clinical protocols. Nowadays, literature is consistent in indicating the neurostimulation of the prefrontal cortex as effective for different kinds of addiction, corroborating the evidence that they rely on a common network in the brain. Likewise, within the CBT studies it is possible to observe a wide range of interventions that are overall effective in regulating the executive functions associated with addiction disorders. Nevertheless, the integration of NIBS and CBT in addictions has been scarcely considered in literature so far. For this reason, the present article is meant to foster empirical research in this field by highlighting the findings supporting these evidence-based interventions, both as stand-alone and integrated treatments. To this aim, psychological and neurophysiological mechanisms of NIBS and CBT in addictions are reviewed, and the rationale of their integration discussed. In particular, as evidence suggest these treatments affect top-down and bottom-up processes in different ways, with NIBS reducing craving and CBT boosting motivation and coping, we suggest their combination might better target the different components of addiction to promote abstinence.

Opioid use disorder and the brain: a clinical perspective

Opioid use disorder (OUD) has gained increasing publicity and interest during recent years, with many countries describing problems of epidemic proportions with regard to opioid use and deaths related to opioids. While opioids are not themselves acutely neurotoxic, the chronic relapsing and remitting nature of this disorder means that individuals are often exposed to exogenous opioids for lengthy periods of time (either illicit or prescribed as treatment). We are increasingly characterizing the effect of such long-term opioid exposure on the brain. This narrative review aims to summarize the literature regarding OUD and the brain from a clinical perspective. Alterations of brain structure and function are discussed, as well as neurological and psychiatric disorders in OUD. Finally, we review current and new directions for assessment and treatment.

Neuroscience: the way forward

This editorial introduces a special issue ofBJPsych Advanceson neuroscience in 21st-century psychiatry. It focuses on two articles in particular, which reveal the contributions of neuroscience to fully integrated biopsychosocial models of human experience.