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Crombag HS, Duka T, Stephens DN. The Continuing Challenges of Studying Parallel Behaviours in Humans and Animal Models. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2024. [PMID: 38976140 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2024_485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
The use of animal models continues to be essential for carrying out research into clinical phenomena, including addiction. However, the complexity of the clinical condition inevitably means that even the best animal models are inadequate, and this may go some way to account for the apparent failures of discoveries from animal models, including the identification of potential novel therapies, to translate to the clinic. We argue here that it is overambitious and misguided in the first place to attempt to model complex, multifacetted human disorders such as addiction in animals, and especially in rodents, and that all too frequently "validity" of such models is limited to superficial similarities, referred to as "face validity", that reflect quite different underlying phenomena and biological processes from the clinical situation. Instead, a more profitable approach is to identify (a) well-defined intermediate human behavioural phenotypes that reflect defined, limited aspects of, or contributors to, the human clinical disorder, and (b) to develop animal models that are homologous with those discrete human behavioural phenotypes in terms of psychological processes, and underlying neurobiological mechanisms. Examples of past and continuing weaknesses and suggestions for more limited approaches that may allow better homology between the test animal and human condition are made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans S Crombag
- School of Psychology and Sussex Neuroscience, The University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.
| | - Theodora Duka
- School of Psychology and Sussex Neuroscience, The University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - David N Stephens
- School of Psychology and Sussex Neuroscience, The University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
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2
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Ebrahimi C, Garbusow M, Sebold M, Chen K, Smolka MN, Huys QJ, Zimmermann US, Schlagenhauf F, Heinz A. Elevated Amygdala Responses During De Novo Pavlovian Conditioning in Alcohol Use Disorder Are Associated With Pavlovian-to-Instrumental Transfer and Relapse Latency. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 3:803-813. [PMID: 37881557 PMCID: PMC10593898 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2023.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Contemporary learning theories of drug addiction ascribe a key role to Pavlovian learning mechanisms in the development, maintenance, and relapse of addiction. In fact, cue-reactivity research has demonstrated the power of alcohol-associated cues to activate the brain's reward system, which has been linked to craving and subsequent relapse. However, whether de novo Pavlovian conditioning is altered in alcohol use disorder (AUD) has rarely been investigated. Methods To characterize de novo Pavlovian conditioning in AUD, 62 detoxified patients with AUD and 63 matched healthy control participants completed a Pavlovian learning task as part of a Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer paradigm during a functional magnetic resonance imaging session. Patients were followed up for 12 months to assess drinking behavior and relapse status. Results While patients and healthy controls did not differ in their ability to explicitly acquire the contingencies between conditioned and unconditioned stimuli, patients with AUD displayed significantly stronger amygdala responses toward Pavlovian cues, an effect primarily driven by stronger blood oxygen level-dependent differentiation during learning from reward compared with punishment. Moreover, in patients compared with controls, differential amygdala responses during conditioning were positively related to the ability of Pavlovian stimuli to influence ongoing instrumental choice behavior measured during a subsequent Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer test. Finally, patients who relapsed within the 12-month follow-up period showed an inverse association between amygdala activity during conditioning and relapse latency. Conclusions We provide evidence of altered neural correlates of de novo Pavlovian conditioning in patients with AUD, especially for appetitive stimuli. Thus, heightened processing of Pavlovian cues might constitute a behaviorally relevant mechanism in alcohol addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Ebrahimi
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, CCM, NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Maria Garbusow
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, CCM, NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Miriam Sebold
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, CCM, NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Berlin, Germany
- Technische Hochschule Aschaffenburg, University of Applied Sciences, Aschaffenburg, Germany
| | - Ke Chen
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, CCM, NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael N. Smolka
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Neuroimaging Center, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Quentin J.M. Huys
- Applied Computational Psychiatry Laboratory, Division of Psychiatry, Mental Health Neuroscience Department, University College London, London, England, United Kingdom
- Applied Computational Psychiatry Laboratory, Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, England, United Kingdom
- Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, London, England, United Kingdom
| | - Ulrich S. Zimmermann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Addiction Medicine and Psychotherapy, kbo Isar-Amper Klinikum Region München, Haar, Germany
| | - Florian Schlagenhauf
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, CCM, NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Heinz
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, CCM, NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Berlin, Germany
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Berlin, Germany
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Rosenthal A, Chen K, Beck A, Romanczuk-Seiferth N. Modifying Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer by approach avoidance training in healthy subjects: a proof of concept study. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10074. [PMID: 37344561 PMCID: PMC10284857 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37083-3] [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: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The modulation of instrumental action by conditioned Pavlovian cues is hypothesized to play a role in the emergence and maintenance of maladaptive behavior. The Pavlovian to Instrumental transfer task (PIT) is designed to examine the magnitude of the influence of cues on behavior and we aim to manipulate the motivational value of Pavlovian cues to reduce their effect on instrumental responding. To this end, we utilized a joystick-based modification of approach and avoidance propensities that has shown success in clinical populations. To examine changes in PIT, we subjected 35 healthy participants to a series of experimental procedures: (1) Instrumental training was followed by (2) Pavlovian conditioning of neutral stimuli that were associated with monetary reward or loss. (3) In a subsequent joystick task, approach and avoidance tendencies toward conditioned cues were assessed. (4) In a transfer test, the PIT effect as the impact of conditioned cues on instrumental behavior was measured. (5) The explicit knowledge of cue-reward contingencies was assessed in a forced-choice phase. (6, 7) systematic joystick training was followed by a posttest (8) the transfer task and forced-choice test were repeated. We found no effect of training on approach-avoidance propensities in the context of this proof of concept study. A higher response rate towards negative stimuli during PIT after systematic training compared to sham training was seen. On the other hand, we saw an increased PIT effect after sham training. These results contribute to the understanding of the strength of the influence of cues on instrumental behavior. Our findings further stress the importance of context, instructions and operationalization of instrumental behavior in the framework of transfer effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Rosenthal
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences|CCM, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Ke Chen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences|CCM, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne Beck
- Faculty of Health, Health and Medical University, Campus Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Nina Romanczuk-Seiferth
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences|CCM, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, MSB Medical School Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Watson P, Mahlberg J. Mechanisms underlying performance in a cued go/no-go Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer paradigm. Behav Brain Res 2023; 446:114413. [PMID: 37001819 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Environmental cues that remind us of rewarding outcomes (drugs, food) play a significant role in addiction relapse. In the lab the Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (PIT) task has been used to formally examine how cues associated with reward or punishment can bias ongoing instrumental responding. Using a version of this paradigm that integrates PIT with a go/no-go task many studies have related stronger PIT effects (with non-drug rewards) to problematic alcohol use including risky alcohol users relative to non-risky drinkers, individuals with alcohol dependence versus healthy controls and individuals in recovery from alcohol use disorder who are more likely to relapse. However the theoretical importance of these findings and the implications for models of addiction was previously not clear. Understanding if this task indexes the general motivating effects of reward cues on instrumental responding (and whether this is sensitive to shifts in motivation for those outcomes) is critical for understanding these previous results within the context of addiction. Thus, in the current study we aimed to delineate the associative mechanisms that drive the stimulus effects observed in this PIT task. Specifically, we wished to examine whether the cueing effects observed in the cued-go/no-go task were selective in their effect on action, insofar as Pavlovian cues specifically invigorated (or suppressed) responding only if they were associated with congruent outcomes. We conclude that the PIT measured with this task is general in nature. Surprisingly however, the biasing effects of Pavlovian cues on instrumental responding did not appear to be sensitive to outcome devaluation.
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Rosenthal A, Garbusow M, Romanczuk-Seiferth N, Beck A. Effects of a brief mindfulness meditation practice on Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer in alcohol use disorder - a pilot study. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1134458. [PMID: 37168079 PMCID: PMC10164967 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1134458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pavlovian conditioned contextual cues have been suggested to modulate instrumental action and might explain maladaptive behavior such as relapse in participants suffering from alcohol use disorder (AUD). Pavlovian-to-Instrumental transfer (PIT) experimentally assesses the magnitude of this context-dependent effect and studies have shown a larger PIT effect in AUD populations. Taken this into account, a reduction of the influence of cues on behavior seems warranted and one approach that could alter such cue reactivity is mindfulness. Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to be efficient in the treatment of AUD, but underlying mechanisms are yet to be elucidated. Therefore, we aim at investigating the effect of a brief mindful body scan meditation on the magnitude of the PIT effect in AUD subjects and matched controls. Methods Using a randomized within-subjects design, we compared the effect of a short audio guided body scan meditation against a control condition (audio of nature sounds) on PIT in healthy (n = 35) and AUD (n = 27) participants. Results We found no differences in PIT effect between healthy and AUD participants as well as between conditions. However, a significant interaction effect points to a decreased PIT effect after body scan meditation in AUD subjects only. Discussion These pilot results suggest that AUD might be susceptible to mindfulness-induced changes in PIT, with these findings contributing to entangling the underlying mechanisms of the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions in AUD. However, further investigation should confirm these preliminary results and the efficacy of mindfulness meditation practice in decreasing the PIT effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Rosenthal
- Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité – Berlin University of Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
- *Correspondence: Annika Rosenthal,
| | - Maria Garbusow
- Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité – Berlin University of Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nina Romanczuk-Seiferth
- Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité – Berlin University of Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, MSB Medical School Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne Beck
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Health and Medical University, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
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Garbusow M, Ebrahimi C, Riemerschmid C, Daldrup L, Rothkirch M, Chen K, Chen H, Belanger MJ, Hentschel A, Smolka MN, Heinz A, Pilhatsch M, Rapp MA. Pavlovian-to-Instrumental Transfer across Mental Disorders: A Review. Neuropsychobiology 2022; 81:418-437. [PMID: 35843212 DOI: 10.1159/000525579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A mechanism known as Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (PIT) describes a phenomenon by which the values of environmental cues acquired through Pavlovian conditioning can motivate instrumental behavior. PIT may be one basic mechanism of action control that can characterize mental disorders on a dimensional level beyond current classification systems. Therefore, we review human PIT studies investigating subclinical and clinical mental syndromes. The literature prevails an inhomogeneous picture concerning PIT. While enhanced PIT effects seem to be present in non-substance-related disorders, overweight people, and most studies with AUD patients, no altered PIT effects were reported in tobacco use disorder and obesity. Regarding AUD and relapsing alcohol-dependent patients, there is mixed evidence of enhanced or no PIT effects. Additionally, there is evidence for aberrant corticostriatal activation and genetic risk, e.g., in association with high-risk alcohol consumption and relapse after alcohol detoxification. In patients with anorexia nervosa, stronger PIT effects elicited by low caloric stimuli were associated with increased disease severity. In patients with depression, enhanced aversive PIT effects and a loss of action-specificity associated with poorer treatment outcomes were reported. Schizophrenic patients showed disrupted specific but intact general PIT effects. Patients with chronic back pain showed reduced PIT effects. We provide possible reasons to understand heterogeneity in PIT effects within and across mental disorders. Further, we strengthen the importance of reliable experimental tasks and provide test-retest data of a PIT task showing moderate to good reliability. Finally, we point toward stress as a possible underlying factor that may explain stronger PIT effects in mental disorders, as there is some evidence that stress per se interacts with the impact of environmental cues on behavior by selectively increasing cue-triggered wanting. To conclude, we discuss the results of the literature review in the light of Research Domain Criteria, suggesting future studies that comprehensively assess PIT across psychopathological dimensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Garbusow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt- Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Claudia Ebrahimi
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt- Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carlotta Riemerschmid
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt- Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Luisa Daldrup
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt- Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcus Rothkirch
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt- Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ke Chen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt- Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Matthew J Belanger
- Department of Psychiatry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Angela Hentschel
- Department of Psychiatry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael N Smolka
- Department of Psychiatry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Andreas Heinz
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt- Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maximilan Pilhatsch
- Department of Psychiatry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Elblandklinikum, Radebeul, Germany
| | - Michael A Rapp
- Area of Excellence Cognitive Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
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Ellerbroek H, van den Heuvel SAS, Dahan A, Timmerman H, Kramers C, Schellekens AFA. Buprenorphine/naloxone versus methadone opioid rotation in patients with prescription opioid use disorder and chronic pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2022; 17:47. [PMID: 36057608 PMCID: PMC9441071 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-022-00326-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Opioids are effective in pain-management, but long-term opioid users can develop prescription opioid use disorder (OUD). One treatment strategy in patients with OUD is rotating from a short-acting opioid to a long-acting opioid (buprenorphine/naloxone (BuNa) or methadone). Both BuNa and methadone have been shown to be effective strategies in patients with OUD reducing opioid misuse, however data on head-to-head comparison in patients with chronic non-malignant pain and prescription OUD are limited. Methods This two-armed open-label, randomized controlled trial aims to compare effectiveness between BuNa and methadone in patients with chronic non-malignant with prescription OUD (n = 100). Participants receive inpatient rotation to either BuNa or methadone with a flexible dosing regimen. The primary outcome is opioid misuse 2 months after rotation. Secondary outcomes include treatment compliance, side effects, analgesia, opioid craving, quality of life, mood symptoms, cognitive and physical functioning over 2- and 6 months follow-up. Linear mixed model analysis will be used to evaluate change in outcome parameters over time between the treatment arms. Discussion This is one of the first studies comparing buprenorphine/naloxone and methadone for treating prescription OUD in a broad patient group with chronic non-malignant pain. Results may guide future treatment for patients with chronic pain and prescription OUD. Trial registrationhttps://www.trialregister.nl/, NL9781
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Ellerbroek
- Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Sandra A S van den Heuvel
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Albert Dahan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Timmerman
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Center, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis Kramers
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Pharmacology-Toxicology and Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Arnt F A Schellekens
- Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Donders Center for Medical Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioners in Addiction (NISPA), Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Pérez-García JM, Suárez-Suárez S, Doallo S, Cadaveira F. Effects of binge drinking during adolescence and emerging adulthood on the brain: A systematic review of neuroimaging studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 137:104637. [PMID: 35339481 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Binge drinking (BD) is a common pattern of alcohol consumption which is generating great concern because of its deleterious consequences. We selected 33 neuroimaging studies of healthy young binge drinkers (BDs) by following PRISMA guidelines. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the relationship between BD and neurocognitive anomalies reported across magnetic resonance studies. Moreover, this work is the first in which results of relatively new imaging techniques, such as resting-state functional connectivity (RS-FC) and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI), have been reviewed using a systematic procedure. We established strict inclusion criteria in order to isolate the various potential effects of BD on the adolescent brain. Two authors independently evaluated the methodological quality, assessing different aspects related to sample size, and statistical correction methods, which are of particular importance in neuroimaging studies. BD is associated with structural and functional anomalies in several cortical and subcortical brain regions intimately involved in the control and regulation of impulsive or risky behaviours, as well as in the processing of reinforcing stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Manuel Pérez-García
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.
| | - Samuel Suárez-Suárez
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.
| | - Sonia Doallo
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.
| | - Fernando Cadaveira
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.
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Chen K, Garbusow M, Sebold M, Kuitunen-Paul S, Smolka MN, Huys QJ, Zimmermann US, Schlagenhauf F, Heinz A. Alcohol approach bias is associated with both behavioral and neural Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer effects in alcohol-dependent patients. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2022. [PMID: 37519476 PMCID: PMC10382691 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2022.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Even after qualified detoxification, alcohol-dependent (AD) patients may relapse to drinking alcohol despite their decision to abstain. Two mechanisms may play important roles. First, the impact of environmental cues on instrumental behavior (i.e., Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer [PIT] effect), which was found to be stronger in prospectively relapsing AD patients than in abstaining patients. Second, an automatic approach bias toward alcohol stimuli was observed in AD patients, and interventions targeting this bias reduced the relapse risk in some studies. Previous findings suggest a potential behavioral and neurobiological overlap between these two mechanisms. Methods In this study, we examined the association between alcohol approach bias and both behavioral and neural non-drug-related PIT effects in AD patients after detoxification. A total of 100 AD patients (17 females) performed a PIT task and an alcohol approach/avoidance task. Patients were followed for 6 months. Results A stronger alcohol approach bias was associated with both a more pronounced behavioral PIT effect and stronger PIT-related neural activity in the right nucleus accumbens. Moreover, the association between alcohol approach bias and behavioral PIT increased with the severity of alcohol dependence and trait impulsivity and was stronger in patients who relapsed during follow-up in the exploratory analysis. Conclusions These findings indicate partial behavioral and neurobiological overlap between alcohol approach bias and the PIT effect assessed with our tasks. The association was stronger in patients with more severe alcohol dependence.
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Algermissen J, Swart JC, Scheeringa R, Cools R, den Ouden HEM. Striatal BOLD and Midfrontal Theta Power Express Motivation for Action. Cereb Cortex 2021; 32:2924-2942. [PMID: 34849626 PMCID: PMC9290551 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Action selection is biased by the valence of anticipated outcomes. To assess mechanisms by which these motivational biases are expressed and controlled, we measured simultaneous EEG-fMRI during a motivational Go/NoGo learning task (N = 36), leveraging the temporal resolution of EEG and subcortical access of fMRI. VmPFC BOLD encoded cue valence, importantly predicting trial-by-trial valence-driven response speed differences and EEG theta power around cue onset. In contrast, striatal BOLD encoded selection of active Go responses and correlated with theta power around response time. Within trials, theta power ramped in the fashion of an evidence accumulation signal for the value of making a "Go" response, capturing the faster responding to reward cues. Our findings reveal a dual nature of midfrontal theta power, with early components reflecting the vmPFC contribution to motivational biases, and late components reflecting their striatal translation into behavior, in line with influential recent "value of work" theories of striatal processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Algermissen
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Thomas van Aquinostraat 4, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jennifer C Swart
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Thomas van Aquinostraat 4, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - René Scheeringa
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Thomas van Aquinostraat 4, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Erwin L. Hahn Institute for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, University of Duisburg-Essen, Kokereiallee 7, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - Roshan Cools
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Thomas van Aquinostraat 4, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Centre, Reinier Postlaan 10, 6525 GC Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hanneke E M den Ouden
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Thomas van Aquinostraat 4, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Chen H, Nebe S, Mojtahedzadeh N, Kuitunen‐Paul S, Garbusow M, Schad DJ, Rapp MA, Huys QJ, Heinz A, Smolka MN. Susceptibility to interference between Pavlovian and instrumental control is associated with early hazardous alcohol use. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e12983. [PMID: 33225513 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (PIT) tasks examine the influence of Pavlovian stimuli on ongoing instrumental behaviour. Previous studies reported associations between a strong PIT effect, high-risk drinking and alcohol use disorder. This study investigated whether susceptibility to interference between Pavlovian and instrumental control is linked to risky alcohol use in a community sample of 18-year-old male adults. Participants (N = 191) were instructed to 'collect good shells' and 'leave bad shells' during the presentation of appetitive (monetary reward), aversive (monetary loss) or neutral Pavlovian stimuli. We compared instrumental error rates (ER) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) brain responses between the congruent and incongruent conditions, as well as among high-risk and low-risk drinking groups. On average, individuals showed a substantial PIT effect, that is, increased ER when Pavlovian cues and instrumental stimuli were in conflict compared with congruent trials. Neural PIT correlates were found in the ventral striatum and the dorsomedial and lateral prefrontal cortices (lPFC). Importantly, high-risk drinking was associated with a stronger behavioural PIT effect, a decreased lPFC response and an increased neural response in the ventral striatum on the trend level. Moreover, high-risk drinkers showed weaker connectivity from the ventral striatum to the lPFC during incongruent trials. Our study links interference during PIT to drinking behaviour in healthy, young adults. High-risk drinkers showed higher susceptibility to Pavlovian cues, especially when they conflicted with instrumental behaviour, indicating lower interference control abilities. Increased activity in the ventral striatum (bottom-up), decreased lPFC response (top-down), and their altered interplay may contribute to poor interference control in the high-risk drinkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroimaging Center Technische Universität Dresden Dresden Germany
| | - Stephan Nebe
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroimaging Center Technische Universität Dresden Dresden Germany
- Zurich Center for Neuroeconomics, Department of Economics University of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
| | - Negin Mojtahedzadeh
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroimaging Center Technische Universität Dresden Dresden Germany
| | - Sören Kuitunen‐Paul
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy Technische Universität Dresden Dresden Germany
- Research Group Stress & Addiction, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Technische Universität Dresden Dresden Germany
| | - Maria Garbusow
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte Berlin Germany
| | - Daniel J. Schad
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte Berlin Germany
- Area of Excellence Cognitive Sciences University of Potsdam Potsdam Germany
| | - Michael A. Rapp
- Area of Excellence Cognitive Sciences University of Potsdam Potsdam Germany
| | - Quentin J.M. Huys
- Division of Psychiatry and Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research University College London London UK
| | - Andreas Heinz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte Berlin Germany
| | - Michael N. Smolka
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroimaging Center Technische Universität Dresden Dresden Germany
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12
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Önal A, Rapp MA, Sebold M, Garbusow M, Chen H, Kuitunen-Paul S, Montag C, Kluge U, Smolka MN, Heinz A. Empathy and the ability to experience one's own emotions modify the expression of blatant and subtle prejudice among young male adults. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 137:471-479. [PMID: 33798974 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Prejudices can lead to discrimination, social exclusion, and violence particularly among young male adults. Previous findings suggest that the degree of holding prejudices is linked to low levels of empathy, while low levels of empathy have been associated with alexithymia, the inability to experience one's own feelings. We tested the hypothesis that the impact of a lack of empathy on reporting blatant and subtle prejudices is moderated by the inability to identify one's own feelings. In a sample of n = 136 young male adults aged 21 years (mean = 21.5 years; sd = 0.3), we conducted correlation and moderator analyses to determine possible relationships between prejudices, empathy, and alexithymia as assessed by self-report questionnaires. Prejudices were assessed by the Blatant and Subtle Prejudice Scale (BSPS), empathy was assessed by the German modified version of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), and alexithymia by the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Self-reported empathy levels were correlated with the strength of subtle and blatant prejudices. The moderation analyses revealed that the negative association between empathy and subtle prejudice increased with decreasing alexithymia. The negative association between empathy and blatant prejudice, on the other hand, was significant only for participants with low levels of alexithymia. These results suggest that empathy can limit the expression of blatant and to some degree also subtle prejudice when subjects are capable to identify their own feelings in a group of young males.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Önal
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
| | - M A Rapp
- Department for Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Potsdam, 14469, Potsdam, Germany.
| | - M Sebold
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
| | - M Garbusow
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
| | - H Chen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroimaging Centre, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
| | - S Kuitunen-Paul
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, 01187, Dresden, Germany; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
| | - C Montag
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
| | - U Kluge
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
| | - M N Smolka
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroimaging Centre, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
| | - A Heinz
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
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13
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Sebold M, Garbusow M, Cerci D, Chen K, Sommer C, Huys QJM, Nebe S, Rapp M, Veer IM, Zimmermann US, Smolka MN, Walter H, Heinz A, Friedel E. Association of the OPRM1 A118G polymorphism and Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer: Clinical relevance for alcohol dependence. J Psychopharmacol 2021; 35:566-578. [PMID: 33726538 PMCID: PMC8155738 DOI: 10.1177/0269881121991992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (PIT) quantifies the extent to which a stimulus that has been associated with reward or punishment alters operant behaviour. In alcohol dependence (AD), the PIT effect serves as a paradigmatic model of cue-induced relapse. Preclinical studies have suggested a critical role of the opioid system in modulating Pavlovian-instrumental interactions. The A118G polymorphism of the OPRM1 gene affects opioid receptor availability and function. Furthermore, this polymorphism interacts with cue-induced approach behaviour and is a potential biomarker for pharmacological treatment response in AD. In this study, we tested whether the OPRM1 polymorphism is associated with the PIT effect and relapse in AD. METHODS Using a PIT task, we examined three independent samples: young healthy subjects (N = 161), detoxified alcohol-dependent patients (N = 186) and age-matched healthy controls (N = 105). We used data from a larger study designed to assess the role of learning mechanisms in the development and maintenance of AD. Subjects were genotyped for the A118G (rs1799971) polymorphism of the OPRM1 gene. Relapse was assessed after three months. RESULTS In all three samples, participants with the minor OPRM1 G-Allele (G+ carriers) showed increased expression of the PIT effect in the absence of learning differences. Relapse was not associated with the OPRM1 polymorphism. Instead, G+ carriers displaying increased PIT effects were particularly prone to relapse. CONCLUSION These results support a role for the opioid system in incentive salience motivation. Furthermore, they inform a mechanistic model of aberrant salience processing and are in line with the pharmacological potential of opioid receptor targets in the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Sebold
- Department of Psychiatry and
Psychotherapy, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie
Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health,
Berlin, Germany
- Department for Social and Preventive
Medicine, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Maria Garbusow
- Department of Psychiatry and
Psychotherapy, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie
Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health,
Berlin, Germany
| | - Deniz Cerci
- Klinik für Forensische Psychiatrie,
Universitätsmedizin Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Ke Chen
- Department of Psychiatry and
Psychotherapy, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie
Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health,
Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Quentin JM Huys
- Division of Psychiatry, University
College London, London, UK
- Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational
Psychiatry and Ageing Research, University College London, London, UK
| | - Stephan Nebe
- Department of Economics, University of
Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Rapp
- Department for Social and Preventive
Medicine, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Ilya M Veer
- Department of Psychiatry and
Psychotherapy, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie
Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health,
Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrich S Zimmermann
- Technical University of Dresden,
Dresden, Germany
- Department of Addiction Medicine and
Psychotherapy, kbo Isar-Amper-Klinikum, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Henrik Walter
- Department of Psychiatry and
Psychotherapy, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie
Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health,
Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Heinz
- Department of Psychiatry and
Psychotherapy, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie
Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health,
Berlin, Germany
| | - Eva Friedel
- Department of Psychiatry and
Psychotherapy, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie
Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health,
Berlin, Germany
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14
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Laurent V, Balleine BW. How predictive learning influences choice: Evidence for a GPCR-based memory process necessary for Pavlovian-instrumental transfer. J Neurochem 2021; 157:1436-1449. [PMID: 33662158 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Predictive learning endows stimuli with the capacity to signal both the sensory-specific and general motivational properties of their associated rewards or outcomes. These two signals can be distinguished behaviorally by their influence on the selection and performance of instrumental actions, respectively. This review focuses on how sensory-specific predictive learning guides choice between actions that earn otherwise equally desirable outcomes. We describe evidence that outcome-specific predictive learning is encoded in the basolateral amygdala and drives the accumulation of delta-opioid receptors on the surface of cholinergic interneurons located in the nucleus accumbens shell. This accumulation constitutes a novel form of cellular memory, not for outcome-specific predictive learning per se but for the selection of, and choice between, future instrumental actions. We describe recent evidence regarding the cascade of events necessary for the formation and expression of this cellular memory and point to open questions for future research into this process. Beyond these mechanistic considerations, the discovery of this new form of memory is consistent with recent evidence suggesting that intracellular rather than synaptic changes can mediate learning-related plasticity to modify brain circuitry to prepare for future significant events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Laurent
- Decision Neuroscience Laboratory, School of Psychology, UNSW SYDNEY, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Bernard W Balleine
- Decision Neuroscience Laboratory, School of Psychology, UNSW SYDNEY, Randwick, NSW, Australia
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15
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Abstract
Abstract
Purpose of Review
Current theories of alcohol use disorders (AUD) highlight the importance of Pavlovian and instrumental learning processes mainly based on preclinical animal studies. Here, we summarize available evidence for alterations of those processes in human participants with AUD with a focus on habitual versus goal-directed instrumental learning, Pavlovian conditioning, and Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (PIT) paradigms.
Recent Findings
The balance between habitual and goal-directed control in AUD participants has been studied using outcome devaluation or sequential decision-making procedures, which have found some evidence of reduced goal-directed/model-based control, but little evidence for stronger habitual responding. The employed Pavlovian learning and PIT paradigms have shown considerable differences regarding experimental procedures, e.g., alcohol-related or conventional reinforcers or stimuli.
Summary
While studies of basic learning processes in human participants with AUD support a role of Pavlovian and instrumental learning mechanisms in the development and maintenance of drug addiction, current studies are characterized by large variability regarding methodology, sample characteristics, and results, and translation from animal paradigms to human research remains challenging. Longitudinal approaches with reliable and ecologically valid paradigms of Pavlovian and instrumental processes, including alcohol-related cues and outcomes, are warranted and should be combined with state-of-the-art imaging techniques, computational approaches, and ecological momentary assessment methods.
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16
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Huys QJM, Browning M, Paulus MP, Frank MJ. Advances in the computational understanding of mental illness. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:3-19. [PMID: 32620005 PMCID: PMC7688938 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-0746-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Computational psychiatry is a rapidly growing field attempting to translate advances in computational neuroscience and machine learning into improved outcomes for patients suffering from mental illness. It encompasses both data-driven and theory-driven efforts. Here, recent advances in theory-driven work are reviewed. We argue that the brain is a computational organ. As such, an understanding of the illnesses arising from it will require a computational framework. The review divides work up into three theoretical approaches that have deep mathematical connections: dynamical systems, Bayesian inference and reinforcement learning. We discuss both general and specific challenges for the field, and suggest ways forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin J M Huys
- Division of Psychiatry and Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, University College London, London, UK.
- Camden and Islington NHS Trust, London, UK.
| | - Michael Browning
- Computational Psychiatry Lab, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Martin P Paulus
- Laureate Institute For Brain Research (LIBR), Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Michael J Frank
- Cognitive, Linguistic & Psychological Sciences, Neuroscience Graduate Program, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Carney Center for Computational Brain Science, Carney Institute for Brain Science Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
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17
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Prospects of Genetics and Epigenetics of Alcohol Use Disorder. CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s40429-020-00331-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose of Review
In this study, we illustrate recent findings regarding the genetics and epigenetics of alcohol use disorder (AUD). We further outline the future direction of genetic and epigenetic research in AUD.
Recent Findings
Recent genome- and epigenome-wide studies allow new insight into genetic and epigenetic variation associated with AUD. The largest EWAS of AUD so far/to date found evidence for altered glucocorticoid receptor regulation. Longitudinal studies provide insight into the dynamics of the disease. Analyses of postmortem brain tissue reveal the impact of chronic alcohol consumption on DNA methylation in the brain.
Summary
Genetic and environmental factors—mediated via epigenetic mechanisms—play an important role in AUD. Although knowledge of the biological underpinnings of AUD is still limited, ongoing research will ultimately lead to the development of biomarkers for disease classification, course of disease, and treatment response to support personalized medicine in the future.
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18
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da Costa RQM, Furukawa E, Hoefle S, Moll J, Tripp G, Mattos P. An Adaptation of Pavlovian-to-Instrumental Transfer (PIT) Methodology to Examine the Energizing Effects of Reward-Predicting Cues on Behavior in Young Adults. Front Psychol 2020; 11:195. [PMID: 32116971 PMCID: PMC7034436 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing recognition that much of human behavior is governed by the presence of classically conditioned cues. The Pavlovian-to-Instrumental Transfer (PIT) paradigm offers a way to measure the effects of classically conditioned stimuli on behavior. In the current study, a novel behavioral task, an adaptation of the PIT framework, was developed for use in conjunction with an fMRI classical conditioning task. Twenty-four healthy young adults completed (1) instrumental training, (2) Pavlovian conditioning, and (3) a Transfer test. During instrumental training, participants learned to apply force to a handgrip to win money from slot machines pictured on a computer screen. During Pavlovian conditioning, slot machines appeared with one of two abstract symbols (cues), one symbol was predictive of monetary reward. During the Transfer test, participants again applied force to a handgrip to win money. This time, the slot machines were presented with the Pavlovian cues, but with the outcomes hidden. The results indicated increased effort on the instrumental task, i.e. higher response frequency and greater force, in the presence of the reward-predicting cue. Our findings add to the growing number of studies demonstrating PIT effects in humans. This new paradigm is effective in measuring the effects of a conditioned stimulus on behavioral activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Quimas Molina da Costa
- D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Neurology Department, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Emi Furukawa
- Human Developmental Neurobiology Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Sebastian Hoefle
- D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jorge Moll
- D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gail Tripp
- Human Developmental Neurobiology Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Paulo Mattos
- D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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