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Serra M, Simola N, Pollack AE, Costa G. Brain dysfunctions and neurotoxicity induced by psychostimulants in experimental models and humans: an overview of recent findings. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1908-1918. [PMID: 38227515 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.390971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Preclinical and clinical studies indicate that psychostimulants, in addition to having abuse potential, may elicit brain dysfunctions and/or neurotoxic effects. Central toxicity induced by psychostimulants may pose serious health risks since the recreational use of these substances is on the rise among young people and adults. The present review provides an overview of recent research, conducted between 2018 and 2023, focusing on brain dysfunctions and neurotoxic effects elicited in experimental models and humans by amphetamine, cocaine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, methylphenidate, caffeine, and nicotine. Detailed elucidation of factors and mechanisms that underlie psychostimulant-induced brain dysfunction and neurotoxicity is crucial for understanding the acute and enduring noxious brain effects that may occur in individuals who use psychostimulants for recreational and/or therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Serra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Nicola Simola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alexia E Pollack
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts-Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Giulia Costa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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Conti AA, Tolomeo S, Baldacchino A, Steele JD. Blunted midbrain reward activation during smoking withdrawal: a preliminary study. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1426506. [PMID: 39015373 PMCID: PMC11250069 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1426506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Tobacco smoking is the leading preventable cause of death, causing more than six million deaths annually worldwide, mainly due to cardiovascular disease and cancer. Many habitual smokers try to stop smoking but only about 7% are successful, despite widespread knowledge of the risks. Development of addiction to a range of substances is associated with progressive blunting of brain reward responses and sensitisation of stress responses, as described by the allostasis theory of addiction. There is pre-clinical evidence from rodents for a dramatic decrease in brain reward function during nicotine withdrawal. Methods Here we tested the hypothesis that habitual smokers would also exhibit blunted reward function during nicotine withdrawal using a decision-making task and fMRI. Results Our findings supported this hypothesis, with midbrain reward-related responses particularly blunted. We also tested the hypothesis that smokers with a longer duration of smoking would have more pronounced abnormalities. Contrary to expectations, we found that a shorter duration of smoking in younger smokers was associated with the most marked abnormalities, with blunted midbrain reward related activation including the dopaminergic ventral tegmental area. Discussion Given the substantial mortality associated with smoking, and the small percent of people who manage to achieve sustained abstinence, further translational studies on nicotine addiction mechanisms are indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. A. Conti
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Population and Behavioural Science Division, School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St. Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - S. Tolomeo
- Institute of High Performance Computing, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - A. Baldacchino
- Population and Behavioural Science Division, School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St. Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - J. D. Steele
- Division of Imaging Science and Technology, Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
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Chiu HJ, Sun CK, Wang HY, Chang HY, Kuo CH, Sue YR, Wu SH, Tung SY, Lee CY, Yeh PY. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the relationship between heavy smoking and probability discounting. Am J Addict 2024; 33:375-384. [PMID: 38290762 DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Probability discounting (PD), which refers to the process of adjusting the value of future probabilities when making decisions, is a method of measuring impulsive decision-making; however, the relationship between PD and nicotine remains unclear. The current study aimed at investigating the significance of PD in individuals who smoke. METHODS According to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we searched the PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases for articles comparing individuals who smoke and their tobacco-naïve controls using PD task as outcome measure from inception to May 2023. The main outcome was an overall difference in PD function, while subgroup analysis and meta-regression were conducted to examine the analysis methods and the moderators of PD. RESULTS Fourteen studies in total involving 384 individuals who smoke and 493 controls (mean age = 24.32 years, range = 15.1-38.05 years) were analyzed. The effect of smoking on PD was significant (g = 0.51, p = .02). The discounting parameter from the equation, compared to the area under the curve, was more sensitive to estimating PD function (p = .01). Regression analysis showed positive correlations of PD with female percentage, age, and the number of probability options (all p < .04), but not with the number of choices at each probability and maximum reward magnitude (all p > .07). There was no significant publication bias across the eligible studies (p = .09). CONCLUSION AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE Our findings, which are the first to demonstrate a smaller PD (i.e., prone to risk-taking) in individuals who smoke, shed light on the appropriate analysis method, gender effect, age, and probability options on the PD function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsien-Jane Chiu
- Taoyuan Psychiatric Center, Minster of Health and Welfare, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Institute of Hospital and Health Care Administration, National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Cheuk-Kwan Sun
- Department of Emergency Medicine, E-Da Dachang Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine for International Students, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Yu Wang
- Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Han-Yun Chang
- Department of Psychology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Clinical Psychology Center, Asia University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hsien Kuo
- Department of Psychology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ru Sue
- Department of Psychology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Hsuan Wu
- Department of Psychology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Yi Tung
- Department of Psychology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chiao-Yu Lee
- Department of Psychology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Pin-Yang Yeh
- Department of Psychology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Clinical Psychology Center, Asia University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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Boer OD, El Marroun H, Muetzel RL. Adolescent substance use initiation and long-term neurobiological outcomes: insights, challenges and opportunities. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02471-2. [PMID: 38409597 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02471-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
The increased frequency of risk taking behavior combined with marked neuromaturation has positioned adolescence as a focal point of research into the neural causes and consequences of substance use. However, little work has provided a summary of the links between adolescent initiated substance use and longer-term brain outcomes. Here we review studies exploring the long-term effects of adolescent-initiated substance use with structural and microstructural neuroimaging. A quarter of all studies reviewed conducted repeated neuroimaging assessments. Long-term alcohol use, as well as tobacco use were consistently associated with smaller frontal cortices and altered white matter microstructure. This association was mostly observed in the ACC, insula and subcortical regions in alcohol users, and for the OFC in tobacco users. Long-term cannabis use was mostly related to altered frontal cortices and hippocampal volumes. Interestingly, cannabis users scanned more years after use initiation tended to show smaller measures of these regions, whereas those with fewer years since initiation showed larger measures. Long-term stimulant use tended to show a similar trend as cannabis in terms of years since initiation in measures of the putamen, insula and frontal cortex. Long-term opioid use was mostly associated with smaller subcortical and insular volumes. Of note, null findings were reported in all substance use categories, most often in cannabis use studies. In the context of the large variety in study designs, substance use assessment, methods, and sample characteristics, we provide recommendations on how to interpret these findings, and considerations for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga D Boer
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies - Erasmus School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center - Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hanan El Marroun
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies - Erasmus School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center - Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ryan L Muetzel
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center - Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Xiang S, Jia T, Xie C, Cheng W, Chaarani B, Banaschewski T, Barker GJ, Bokde ALW, Büchel C, Desrivières S, Flor H, Grigis A, Gowland PA, Brühl R, Martinot JL, Martinot MLP, Nees F, Orfanos DP, Poustka L, Hohmann S, Fröhner JH, Smolka MN, Vaidya N, Walter H, Whelan R, Garavan H, Schumann G, Sahakian BJ, Robbins TW, Feng J. Association between vmPFC gray matter volume and smoking initiation in adolescents. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4684. [PMID: 37582920 PMCID: PMC10427673 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40079-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Smoking of cigarettes among young adolescents is a pressing public health issue. However, the neural mechanisms underlying smoking initiation and sustenance during adolescence, especially the potential causal interactions between altered brain development and smoking behaviour, remain elusive. Here, using large longitudinal adolescence imaging genetic cohorts, we identify associations between left ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) gray matter volume (GMV) and subsequent self-reported smoking initiation, and between right vmPFC GMV and the maintenance of smoking behaviour. Rule-breaking behaviour mediates the association between smaller left vmPFC GMV and smoking behaviour based on longitudinal cross-lagged analysis and Mendelian randomisation. In contrast, smoking behaviour associated longitudinal covariation of right vmPFC GMV and sensation seeking (especially hedonic experience) highlights a potential reward-based mechanism for sustaining addictive behaviour. Taken together, our findings reveal vmPFC GMV as a possible biomarker for the early stages of nicotine addiction, with implications for its prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shitong Xiang
- Institute for Science and Technology of Brain-inspired Intelligence (ISTBI), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianye Jia
- Institute for Science and Technology of Brain-inspired Intelligence (ISTBI), Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China.
- Centre for Population Neuroscience and Stratified Medicine (PONS Centre), ISTBI, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Chao Xie
- Institute for Science and Technology of Brain-inspired Intelligence (ISTBI), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Cheng
- Institute for Science and Technology of Brain-inspired Intelligence (ISTBI), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Bader Chaarani
- Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Tobias Banaschewski
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Gareth J Barker
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Arun L W Bokde
- Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Sylvane Desrivières
- Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Herta Flor
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Antoine Grigis
- NeuroSpin, C.E.A., Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Penny A Gowland
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Rüdiger Brühl
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Berlin, Germany
| | - Jean-Luc Martinot
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, INSERM U1299 'Trajectoires développementales en psychiatrie', Université Paris-Saclay, Ecole Normale supérieure Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR9010, Centre Borelli, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Marie-Laure Paillère Martinot
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, INSERM U1299 'Trajectoires développementales en psychiatrie', Université Paris-Saclay, Ecole Normale supérieure Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR9010, Centre Borelli, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- AP-HP, Sorbonne Université, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Frauke Nees
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Luise Poustka
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sarah Hohmann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Juliane H Fröhner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael N Smolka
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nilakshi Vaidya
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität BerlinHumboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Henrik Walter
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität BerlinHumboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Robert Whelan
- School of Psychology and Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Hugh Garavan
- Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Gunter Schumann
- Institute for Science and Technology of Brain-inspired Intelligence (ISTBI), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Centre for Population Neuroscience and Stratified Medicine (PONS Centre), ISTBI, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität BerlinHumboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- Centre for Population Neuroscience and Stratified Medicine (PONS Centre), Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Barbara J Sahakian
- Institute for Science and Technology of Brain-inspired Intelligence (ISTBI), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Trevor W Robbins
- Institute for Science and Technology of Brain-inspired Intelligence (ISTBI), Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Psychology and Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Jianfeng Feng
- Institute for Science and Technology of Brain-inspired Intelligence (ISTBI), Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Computer Science, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom.
- Zhangjiang Fudan International Innovation Center, Shanghai, China.
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Conti AA, Baldacchino AM. Chronic tobacco smoking, impaired reward-based decision-making, and role of insular cortex: A comparison between early-onset smokers and late-onset smokers. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:939707. [PMID: 36090372 PMCID: PMC9459116 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.939707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The literature suggests that tobacco smoking may have a neurotoxic effect on the developing adolescent brain. Particularly, it may impair the decision-making process of early-onset smokers (<16 years), by rendering them more prone to impulsive and risky choices toward rewards, and therefore more prone to smoking relapses, in comparison to late-onset smokers (≥16 years). However, no study has ever investigated reward-based decision-making and structural brain differences between early-onset smokers and late-onset smokers. METHODS Computerized measures of reward-based decision-making [Cambridge Gambling Task (CGT); 5-trials adjusting delay discounting task (ADT-5)] were administered to 11 early-onset smokers (mean age at regular smoking initiation = 13.2 years), 17 late-onset smokers (mean age at regular smoking initiation = 18.0 years), and 24 non-smoker controls. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was utilized to investigate the gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volume differences in fronto-cortical and striatal brain regions between early-onset smokers, late-onset smokers, and non-smokers. RESULTS Early-onset smokers displayed a riskier decision-making behavior in comparison to non-smokers as assessed by the CGT (p < 0.01, Cohen's f = 0.48). However, no significant differences (p > 0.05) in reward-based decision-making were detected between early-onset smokers and late-onset smokers. VBM results revealed early-onset smokers to present lower GM volume in the bilateral anterior insular cortex (AI) in comparison to late-onset smokers and lower WM volume in the right AI in comparison to late-onset smokers. CONCLUSION Impairments in reward-based decision-making may not be affected by tobacco smoking initiation during early adolescence. Instead, lower GM and WM volume in the AI of early-onset smokers may underline a vulnerability to develop compulsive tobacco seeking and smoking behavior during adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo Alberto Conti
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander Mario Baldacchino
- Division of Population and Behavioral Science, University of St Andrews School of Medicine, St Andrews, United Kingdom
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