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Davis CN, Gex KS, Squeglia LM, Trull TJ, McCarthy DM, Baker NL, Gray KM, McRae-Clark AL, Tomko RL. Development and Initial Validation of a Momentary Cannabis Craving Scale Within a Homogeneous Sample of U.S. Emerging Adults. Assessment 2025; 32:77-89. [PMID: 38515003 PMCID: PMC11415549 DOI: 10.1177/10731911241237055] [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] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Given the popularity and ease of single-item craving assessments, we developed a multi-item measure and compared it to common single-item assessments in an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) context. Two weeks of EMA data were collected from 48 emerging adults (56.25% female, 85.42% White) who frequently used cannabis. Eight craving items were administered, and multilevel factor analyses were used to identify the best fitting model. The resulting scale's factors represented purposefulness/general desire and emotionality/negative affect craving. Convergent validity was examined using measures of craving, cannabis use disorder symptoms, frequency of use, cannabis cue reactivity, cannabis use, negative affect, and impulsivity. The scale factors were associated with cue-reactivity craving, negative affect, impulsivity, and subfactors of existing craving measures. For researchers interested in using a single item to capture craving, one item performed particularly well. However, the new scale may provide a more nuanced assessment of mechanisms underlying craving.
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Meredith LR, Jarnecke AM, Tomko RL, Mewton L, Kirkland AE, Browning BD, Squeglia LM. Why and how: Engaging high school students in meaningful research opportunities. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 48:2412-2417. [PMID: 39543806 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2024] [Accepted: 10/28/2024] [Indexed: 11/17/2024]
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Davis CN, Ramer NE, Squeglia LM, Gex KS, McRae‐Clark AL, McKee SA, Roberts W, Gray KM, Baker NL, Tomko RL. Alcohol use and cannabis craving in daily life: Sex differences and associations among young adults. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 48:2331-2340. [PMID: 39579151 PMCID: PMC11629456 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 09/19/2024] [Indexed: 11/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol and cannabis are commonly used together by young adults. With frequent pairings, use of one substance may become a conditioned cue for use of a second, commonly co-used substance. Although this has been examined for alcohol and cannabis in laboratory conditions and with remote monitoring, no research has examined whether pharmacologically induced cross-substance craving occurs in naturalistic conditions. METHODS In a sample of 63 frequent cannabis-using young adults (54% female) who completed 2 weeks of ecological momentary assessment, we tested whether alcohol use was associated with stronger in-the-moment cannabis craving. We also examined whether sex moderated this association and whether cannabis craving was stronger at higher levels of alcohol consumption. RESULTS Although alcohol use and cannabis craving were not significantly associated at the momentary level, there was evidence that this relation significantly differed by sex. Among female participants, there was a negative association between alcohol use since the last prompt and momentary cannabis craving (b = -0.33, SE = 0.14, p = 0.02), while the association among male participants was positive (b = 0.32, SE = 0.13, p = 0.01). Similarly, alcohol quantity was negatively associated with cannabis craving at the momentary level for female participants (b = -0.10, SE = 0.04, p = 0.009) but was not significantly associated for male participants (b = 0.05, SE = 0.04, p = 0.18). CONCLUSIONS Alcohol may enhance cannabis craving among male individuals but reduce desire for cannabis among female individuals. This may point to differing functions of co-use by sex, highlighting a need for research to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this increasingly common pattern of substance use.
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Visontay R, Squeglia LM, Sunderland M, Devine EK, Byrne H, Mewton L. Enhancing causal inference in population-based neuroimaging data in children and adolescents. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2024; 70:101465. [PMID: 39447451 PMCID: PMC11541429 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2024.101465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 09/10/2024] [Accepted: 10/15/2024] [Indexed: 10/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent years have seen the increasing availability of large, population-based, longitudinal neuroimaging datasets, providing unprecedented capacity to examine brain-behavior relationships in the neurodevelopmental context. However, the ability of these datasets to deliver causal insights into brain-behavior relationships relies on the application of purpose-built analysis methods to counter the biases that otherwise preclude causal inference from observational data. Here we introduce these approaches (i.e., propensity score-based methods, the 'G-methods', targeted maximum likelihood estimation, and causal mediation analysis) and conduct a review to determine the extent to which they have been applied thus far in the field of developmental cognitive neuroscience. We identify just eight relevant studies, most of which employ propensity score-based methods. Many approaches are entirely absent from the literature, particularly those that promote causal inference in settings with complex, multi-wave data and repeated neuroimaging assessments. Causality is central to an etiological understanding of the relationship between the brain and behavior, as well as for identifying targets for prevention and intervention. Careful application of methods for causal inference may help the field of developmental cognitive neuroscience approach these goals.
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Moore A, Lewis B, Elton A, Squeglia LM, Nixon SJ. An investigation of multimodal predictors of adolescent alcohol initiation. Drug Alcohol Depend 2024; 265:112491. [PMID: 39522301 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.112491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 10/07/2024] [Accepted: 10/24/2024] [Indexed: 11/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early alcohol initiation is associated with negative, alcohol-related outcomes. While previous work identifies numerous risk factors for early use, the relative contributions of known predictors remains understudied. The current project addresses this gap by 1) prospectively predicting early alcohol initiation using measures of inhibition control, reward sensitivity, and contextual risk factors and 2) interrogating the relative importance of each domain. METHOD This study leverages multimodal data from substance-naïve youth enrolled in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study® (n=11,694). Early initiation was defined as consuming a full standard drink containing alcohol prior to age 16. Propensity scores were used to match alcohol initiators (n=348) with demographically similar non-initiators at a 1:2 ratio (n=696). Independent logistic regressions were conducted for each domain followed by additive, hierarchical models. RESULTS The model of contextual factors (pseudo-R2=0.086, AUC=0.67) outperformed inhibition control (pseudo-R2=0.021, AUC=0.58) and reward sensitivity measures (pseudo-R2=0.020, AUC=0.59). The hierarchical model containing all measures (pseudo-R2=0.106, AUC=0.69) did not significantly improve the model of contextual factors alone (p>0.05). Examples of significant predictors (p<0.05) include externalizing behaviors, number of substances known, and non-religious alcohol sipping. CONCLUSION Contextual risk factors were the strongest predictors of early alcohol use; however, more work is needed to understand the causal nature of this relationship. Measures of inhibition control and reward sensitivity were not adequate in distinguishing initiators from non-initiators. These findings add to a body of evidence that contextual factors play a major role in alcohol initiation while highlighting specific predictor variables that could inform youth alcohol prevention.
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Borodovsky JT, Squeglia LM, Mewton L, Marsch LA. Longitudinal Use Patterns of Technology Subtypes During the Transition Into Early Adolescence: Results From the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. J Adolesc Health 2024; 75:809-818. [PMID: 39140927 PMCID: PMC11490364 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2024.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Adolescents encounter a complex digital environment, yet existing data on youth technology use rarely differentiates technology subtypes. This study maps the evolution and intricacies of youth engagement with technology subtypes. METHODS N = 11,868 participants in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study followed from ages ∼9/10 to ∼13/14. We examined youths' self-reported hours per day (hr/day) of technology subtypes: TV/Movies, video games, YouTube, social media, video chat, and texting. We used descriptive statistics and multilevel logistic regression to assess cross-sectional and longitudinal use patterns of technology subtypes, agreement between child and parent reports on the child's technology use, and associations between each technology subtype and sociodemographics (child's biological sex, parent education, income, and marital status). RESULTS At age 9/10, ∼75% of youth reported minimal (<30 min/day) social technology use (social media, video chat, texting) and up to ∼1.5 hr/day of TV, video games, and YouTube. By age 13/14, TV trajectories were converging to >2 hr/day, but social technology trajectories "fanned out" into a wide range of usage rates. Child and parent reports were weakly correlated (rs range: 0.13-0.29). Using child-reported hours of technology use, increases in the subject-specific odds of using a technology >2 hr/day ranged from 25% (YouTube; 95% CI: 1.16-1.35) to 234% (social media; 95% CI: 3.14-3.55). Compared with males, females had ∼100-200% greater odds of >2 hr/day of social technologies, but ∼40-80% reduced odds of >2 hr/day of video games and YouTube. Higher parent education and income predicted significantly lower odds of >2 hr/day of use - regardless of technology subtype. DISCUSSION Distributions of youths' self-reported technology engagement are highly contingent on technology subtype, age, and biological sex. Future research on youth development and technology may benefit from considering youths' varied digital experiences.
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Zhang L, Oshri A, Carvalho C, Uddin LQ, Geier C, Nagata JM, Cummins K, Hoffman EA, Tomko RL, Chaarani B, Squeglia LM, Wing D, Mason MJ, Fuemmeler B, Lisdahl K, Tapert SF, Baker FC, Kiss O. Prospective associations between Sleep, Sensation-Seeking and Mature Screen Usage in Early Adolescents: Findings from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. Sleep 2024:zsae234. [PMID: 39390801 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsae234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 10/12/2024] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES Early exposure to mature content is linked to high-risk behaviors. This study aims to prospectively investigate how sleep and sensation-seeking behaviors influence the consumption of mature video games and R-rated movies in early adolescents. A secondary analysis examines the bidirectional relationships between sleep patterns and mature screen usage. METHODS Data were obtained from a subsample of 3,687 early adolescents (49.2% female; mean age: 11.96 years) participating in the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development study. At Year 2 follow-up, participants wore Fitbit wearables for up to 21 nights to assess objective sleep measures and completed a scale about sensation-seeking traits. At Year 3 follow-up, they answered questions about mature screen usage. RESULTS Of the sample, 41.8% of the sample reported playing mature-rated video games and 49% reported watching R-rated movies. Sensation-seeking traits were associated with R-rated movie watching one year later. Shorter sleep duration, later bedtime, more bedtime variability, and more social jetlag (discrepancy between the mid-sleep on weekdays and weekends) were associated with mature-rated video gaming and R-rated movie watching one year later. Sleep duration variability was associated with mature-rated video gaming. There was also an interaction effect: those with higher sensation-seeking scores and shorter sleep duration reported more frequent R-rated movie usage than those with longer sleep duration. Secondary analyses showed bidirectional associations between later bedtimes, more variability in bedtimes, and more social jetlag with mature screen usage. CONCLUSION Early adolescents with sensation-seeking traits and poorer sleep health were more likely to engage in mature screen usage.
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Sahlem GL, Dowdle LT, Baker NL, Sherman BJ, Gray KM, McRae-Clark AL, Froeliger B, Squeglia LM. Exploring the Utility of a Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Cannabis Cue-Reactivity Paradigm in Treatment Seeking Adults with Cannabis Use Disorder. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2024:S2451-9022(24)00274-X. [PMID: 39326740 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2024.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 08/21/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies examining cue-reactivity in cannabis use disorder (CUD) have either had small sample sizes or involved non-treatment-seeking participants. As a secondary analysis, we administered an fMRI cue-reactivity task to CUD participants entering two separate clinical trials (varenicline or repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation-rTMS) to determine the task activation patterns for treatment-seeking participants with CUD. We aimed to determine the activation patterns for the total sample and determined behavioral correlates. We additionally compared studies to determine if patterns were consistent. METHODS Treatment-seeking participants with moderate or severe CUD had behavioral craving measured at baseline via the short form of the Marijuana Craving Questionnaire (MCQ-SF) and completed a visual cannabis cue-reactivity task during fMRI (measuring the Blood-Oxygen-Level-Dependent-BOLD response) following 24-hours of cannabis-abstinence. RESULTS Sixty-five participants were included (37-varenicline, 28-rTMS; 32% female; mean-age 30.4±9.9SD). When contrasting cannabis-images vs. matched-neutral-images, participants showed greater BOLD response in bilateral ventromedial-prefrontal, dorsolateral-prefrontal, anterior cingulate, and visual cortices, as well as the striatum. There was stronger task-based functional-connectivity (tbFC) between the medial prefrontal cortex and both the amygdala and the visual cortex. Craving negatively correlated with BOLD response in the left ventral striatum (R2=-0.32; p=0.01) in the full sample. There were no significant differences in either activation or tbFC between studies. DISCUSSION Among two separate treatment-seeking groups with CUD, there was increased cannabis cue-reactivity and tbFC in regions related to executive function and reward processing. Cannabis-craving was negatively associated with cue-reactivity in the left ventral striatum.
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Green R, Kirkland AE, Browning BD, Ferguson PL, Gray KM, Squeglia LM. Effect of N-acetylcysteine on neural alcohol cue reactivity and craving in adolescents who drink heavily: A preliminary randomized clinical trial. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 48:1772-1783. [PMID: 38960894 PMCID: PMC11576246 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol craving is related to problematic alcohol use; therefore, pharmacotherapies that modulate alcohol craving are of interest. N-acetylcysteine, an over-the-counter antioxidant, is a candidate pharmacotherapy for adolescent alcohol use with the potential to impact craving. Cue-reactivity paradigms using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can identify neural regions implicated in craving and serve as a screening tool for novel pharmacotherapy options. METHODS This preliminary study examined the effect of N-acetylcysteine on neural reactivity to alcohol cues and subjective craving among 31 non-treatment-seeking adolescents (17.6-19.9 years old, 55% female) who use alcohol heavily. In a randomized cross-over design, participants completed three fMRI sessions: baseline and after a 10-day course of N-acetylcysteine (1200 mg twice daily) and matched placebo. The primary outcome was neural response to alcohol versus non-alcohol beverage cues after N-acetylcysteine versus placebo, with a secondary outcome of self-reported subjective craving. RESULTS In the full sample (n = 31), there was no effect of N-acetylcysteine versus placebo on neural alcohol reactivity (ps ≥ 0.49;η p 2 s = 0.00-0.07) or self-reported acute alcohol craving (p = 0.18,η p 2 = 0.06). However, N-acetylcysteine did reduce self-reported generalized alcohol craving (p = 0.03,η p 2 = 0.15). In a subsample of youth who met criteria for past-year alcohol use disorder (n = 19), results remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS N-acetylcysteine may not alter neural reactivity to alcohol cues or acute craving; however, it may reduce general subjective alcohol craving among adolescents who consume alcohol heavily.
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Gross RS, Thaweethai T, Kleinman LC, Snowden JN, Rosenzweig EB, Milner JD, Tantisira KG, Rhee KE, Jernigan TL, Kinser PA, Salisbury AL, Warburton D, Mohandas S, Wood JC, Newburger JW, Truong DT, Flaherman VJ, Metz TD, Karlson EW, Chibnik LB, Pant DB, Krishnamoorthy A, Gallagher R, Lamendola-Essel MF, Hasson DC, Katz SD, Yin S, Dreyer BP, Carmilani M, Coombs K, Fitzgerald ML, Güthe N, Hornig M, Letts RJ, Peddie AK, Taylor BD, Foulkes AS, Stockwell MS, Balaraman V, Bogie A, Bukulmez H, Dozor AJ, Eckrich D, Elliott AJ, Evans DN, Farkas JS, Faustino EVS, Fischer L, Gaur S, Harahsheh AS, Hasan UN, Hsia DS, Huerta-Montañez G, Hummel KD, Kadish MP, Kaelber DC, Krishnan S, Kosut JS, Larrabee J, Lim PPC, Michelow IC, Oliveira CR, Raissy H, Rosario-Pabon Z, Ross JL, Sato AI, Stevenson MD, Talavera-Barber MM, Teufel RJ, Weakley KE, Zimmerman E, Bind MAC, Chan J, Guan Z, Morse RE, Reeder HT, Akshoomoff N, Aschner JL, Bhattacharjee R, Cottrell LA, Cowan K, D'Sa VA, Fiks AG, Gennaro ML, Irby K, Khare M, Guttierrez JL, McCulloh RJ, Narang S, Ness-Cochinwala M, Nolan S, Palumbo P, Ryu J, Salazar JC, Selvarangan R, Stein CR, Werzberger A, Zempsky WT, Aupperle R, Baker FC, Banich MT, Barch DM, Baskin-Sommers A, Bjork JM, Bookheimer SY, Brown SA, Casey BJ, Chang L, Clark DB, Dale AM, Dapretto M, Ernst TM, Fair DA, Feldstein Ewing SW, Foxe JJ, Freedman EG, Friedman NP, Garavan H, Gee DG, Gonzalez R, Gray KM, Heitzeg MM, Herting MM, Jacobus J, Laird AR, Larson CL, Lisdahl KM, Luciana M, Luna B, Madden PAF, McGlade EC, Müller-Oehring EM, Nagel BJ, Neale MC, Paulus MP, Potter AS, Renshaw PF, Sowell ER, Squeglia LM, Tapert S, Uddin LQ, Wilson S, Yurgelun-Todd DA. Characterizing Long COVID in Children and Adolescents. JAMA 2024; 332:2822770. [PMID: 39196964 PMCID: PMC11339705 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.12747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/30/2024]
Abstract
Importance Most research to understand postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), or long COVID, has focused on adults, with less known about this complex condition in children. Research is needed to characterize pediatric PASC to enable studies of underlying mechanisms that will guide future treatment. Objective To identify the most common prolonged symptoms experienced by children (aged 6 to 17 years) after SARS-CoV-2 infection, how these symptoms differ by age (school-age [6-11 years] vs adolescents [12-17 years]), how they cluster into distinct phenotypes, and what symptoms in combination could be used as an empirically derived index to assist researchers to study the likely presence of PASC. Design, Setting, and Participants Multicenter longitudinal observational cohort study with participants recruited from more than 60 US health care and community settings between March 2022 and December 2023, including school-age children and adolescents with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection history. Exposure SARS-CoV-2 infection. Main Outcomes and Measures PASC and 89 prolonged symptoms across 9 symptom domains. Results A total of 898 school-age children (751 with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection [referred to as infected] and 147 without [referred to as uninfected]; mean age, 8.6 years; 49% female; 11% were Black or African American, 34% were Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish, and 60% were White) and 4469 adolescents (3109 infected and 1360 uninfected; mean age, 14.8 years; 48% female; 13% were Black or African American, 21% were Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish, and 73% were White) were included. Median time between first infection and symptom survey was 506 days for school-age children and 556 days for adolescents. In models adjusted for sex and race and ethnicity, 14 symptoms in both school-age children and adolescents were more common in those with SARS-CoV-2 infection history compared with those without infection history, with 4 additional symptoms in school-age children only and 3 in adolescents only. These symptoms affected almost every organ system. Combinations of symptoms most associated with infection history were identified to form a PASC research index for each age group; these indices correlated with poorer overall health and quality of life. The index emphasizes neurocognitive, pain, and gastrointestinal symptoms in school-age children but change or loss in smell or taste, pain, and fatigue/malaise-related symptoms in adolescents. Clustering analyses identified 4 PASC symptom phenotypes in school-age children and 3 in adolescents. Conclusions and Relevance This study developed research indices for characterizing PASC in children and adolescents. Symptom patterns were similar but distinguishable between the 2 groups, highlighting the importance of characterizing PASC separately for these age ranges.
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Alexander JD, Linkersdörfer J, Toda-Thorne K, Sullivan RM, Cummins KM, Tomko RL, Allen NB, Bagot KS, Baker FC, Fuemmeler BF, Hoffman EA, Kiss O, Mason MJ, Nguyen-Louie TT, Tapert SF, Smith CJ, Squeglia LM, Wade NE. Passively sensing smartphone use in teens with rates of use by sex and across operating systems. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17982. [PMID: 39097657 PMCID: PMC11297944 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68467-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Youth screen media activity is a growing concern, though few studies include objective usage data. Through the longitudinal, U.S.-based Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, youth (mage = 14; n = 1415) self-reported their typical smartphone use and passively recorded three weeks of smartphone use via the ABCD-specific Effortless Assessment Research System (EARS) application. Here we describe and validate passively-sensed smartphone keyboard and app use measures, provide code to harmonize measures across operating systems, and describe trends in adolescent smartphone use. Keyboard and app-use measures were reliable and positively correlated with one another (r = 0.33) and with self-reported use (rs = 0.21-0.35). Participants recorded a mean of 5 h of daily smartphone use, which is two more hours than they self-reported. Further, females logged more smartphone use than males. Smartphone use was recorded at all hours, peaking on average from 8 to 10 PM and lowest from 3 to 5 AM. Social media and texting apps comprised nearly half of all use. Data are openly available to approved investigators ( https://nda.nih.gov/abcd/ ). Information herein can inform use of the ABCD dataset to longitudinally study health and neurodevelopmental correlates of adolescent smartphone use.
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Browning BD, Kirkland AE, Green R, Liu H, Glover JS, Ticer TD, Engevik MA, Alekseyenko AV, Ferguson PL, Tomko RL, Squeglia LM. Adolescent alcohol use is associated with differences in the diversity and composition of the oral microbiome. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 48:1025-1035. [PMID: 38631877 PMCID: PMC11178446 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescence is a sensitive stage of oral microbial development that often coincides with the initiation and escalation of alcohol use. Thus, adolescents may be particularly susceptible to alcohol-induced alterations in the oral microbiome, though minimal research has been done in this area. Understanding the connection between the oral microbiome and alcohol use during adolescence is important to understand fully the biological consequences of alcohol use to mitigate potential adverse outcomes. METHODS Saliva samples were collected from adolescents aged 17-19 who used alcohol heavily (n = 21, 52.4% female) and those who did not use alcohol or any other substances (n = 18, 44.4% female). We utilized 16S rRNA sequencing to examine differences in microbial diversity and composition between the groups. RESULTS For alpha diversity, evenness was significantly lower in the drinking group than the control group as indicated by Pielou's evenness, Shannon, and Simpson indices. There were no statistically significant findings for beta diversity. Differential abundance analyses revealed higher abundances of Rothia and Corynebacterium in the alcohol-using group using both centered-log-ratio and relative abundance normalization. These genera are known for their high capacity to convert alcohol into acetaldehyde, a toxic metabolite reported to play a role in the neurobiological effects of alcohol. An unclassified Clostridia UCG-014, Streptobacillus, Comamonas, unclassified Lachnospiraceae, and Parvimonas were also identified as significantly different between groups when using only one of the normalization techniques. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study designed specifically to compare the oral microbiome of adolescents who use alcohol with that of control participants. Our findings reveal distinct alcohol-related differences in microbial composition and taxon abundance, emphasizing the importance of understanding the impact on the oral microbiome of alcohol use during adolescence. Because the oral microbiome is malleable, this study provides foundational work for future prevention and intervention studies.
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Davis CN, Markowitz JS, Squeglia LM, Ellingson JM, McRae-Clark AL, Gray KM, Kretschmer D, Tomko RL. Evidence for sex differences in the impact of cytochrome P450 genotypes on early subjective effects of cannabis. Addict Behav 2024; 153:107996. [PMID: 38394959 PMCID: PMC10947802 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.107996] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Early positive subjective effects of cannabis predict the development of cannabis use disorder (CUD). Genetic factors, such as the presence of cytochrome P450 genetic variants that are associated with reduced Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) metabolism, may contribute to individual differences in subjective effects of cannabis. Young adults (N = 54) with CUD or a non-CUD substance use disorder (control) provided a blood sample for DNA analysis and self-reported their early (i.e., effects upon initial uses) and past-year positive and negative subjective cannabis effects. Participants were classified as slow metabolizers if they had at least one CYP2C9 or CYP3A4 allele associated with reduced activity. Though the CUD group and control group did not differ in terms of metabolizer status, slow metabolizer status was more prevalent among females in the CUD group than females in the control group. Slow metabolizers reported greater past year negative THC effects compared to normal metabolizers; however, slow metabolizer status did not predict early subjective cannabis effects (positive or negative) or past year positive effects. Post-hoc analyses suggested males who were slow metabolizers reported more negative early subjective effects of cannabis than female slow metabolizers. Other sex-by-genotype interactions were not significant. These initial findings suggest that genetic variation in CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 may have sex-specific associations with cannabis-related outcomes. Slow metabolizer genes may serve as a risk factor for CUD for females independent of subjective effects. Male slow metabolizers may instead be particularly susceptible to the negative subjective effects of cannabis.
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Gross RS, Thaweethai T, Rosenzweig EB, Chan J, Chibnik LB, Cicek MS, Elliott AJ, Flaherman VJ, Foulkes AS, Gage Witvliet M, Gallagher R, Gennaro ML, Jernigan TL, Karlson EW, Katz SD, Kinser PA, Kleinman LC, Lamendola-Essel MF, Milner JD, Mohandas S, Mudumbi PC, Newburger JW, Rhee KE, Salisbury AL, Snowden JN, Stein CR, Stockwell MS, Tantisira KG, Thomason ME, Truong DT, Warburton D, Wood JC, Ahmed S, Akerlundh A, Alshawabkeh AN, Anderson BR, Aschner JL, Atz AM, Aupperle RL, Baker FC, Balaraman V, Banerjee D, Barch DM, Baskin-Sommers A, Bhuiyan S, Bind MAC, Bogie AL, Bradford T, Buchbinder NC, Bueler E, Bükülmez H, Casey BJ, Chang L, Chrisant M, Clark DB, Clifton RG, Clouser KN, Cottrell L, Cowan K, D’Sa V, Dapretto M, Dasgupta S, Dehority W, Dionne A, Dummer KB, Elias MD, Esquenazi-Karonika S, Evans DN, Faustino EVS, Fiks AG, Forsha D, Foxe JJ, Friedman NP, Fry G, Gaur S, Gee DG, Gray KM, Handler S, Harahsheh AS, Hasbani K, Heath AC, Hebson C, Heitzeg MM, Hester CM, Hill S, Hobart-Porter L, Hong TKF, Horowitz CR, Hsia DS, Huentelman M, Hummel KD, Irby K, Jacobus J, Jacoby VL, Jone PN, Kaelber DC, Kasmarcak TJ, Kluko MJ, Kosut JS, Laird AR, Landeo-Gutierrez J, Lang SM, Larson CL, Lim PPC, Lisdahl KM, McCrindle BW, McCulloh RJ, McHugh K, Mendelsohn AL, Metz TD, Miller J, Mitchell EC, Morgan LM, Müller-Oehring EM, Nahin ER, Neale MC, Ness-Cochinwala M, Nolan SM, Oliveira CR, Osakwe O, Oster ME, Payne RM, Portman MA, Raissy H, Randall IG, Rao S, Reeder HT, Rosas JM, Russell MW, Sabati AA, Sanil Y, Sato AI, Schechter MS, Selvarangan R, Sexson Tejtel SK, Shakti D, Sharma K, Squeglia LM, Srivastava S, Stevenson MD, Szmuszkovicz J, Talavera-Barber MM, Teufel RJ, Thacker D, Trachtenberg F, Udosen MM, Warner MR, Watson SE, Werzberger A, Weyer JC, Wood MJ, Yin HS, Zempsky WT, Zimmerman E, Dreyer BP. Researching COVID to enhance recovery (RECOVER) pediatric study protocol: Rationale, objectives and design. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0285635. [PMID: 38713673 PMCID: PMC11075869 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2024] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The prevalence, pathophysiology, and long-term outcomes of COVID-19 (post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 [PASC] or "Long COVID") in children and young adults remain unknown. Studies must address the urgent need to define PASC, its mechanisms, and potential treatment targets in children and young adults. OBSERVATIONS We describe the protocol for the Pediatric Observational Cohort Study of the NIH's REsearching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Initiative. RECOVER-Pediatrics is an observational meta-cohort study of caregiver-child pairs (birth through 17 years) and young adults (18 through 25 years), recruited from more than 100 sites across the US. This report focuses on two of four cohorts that comprise RECOVER-Pediatrics: 1) a de novo RECOVER prospective cohort of children and young adults with and without previous or current infection; and 2) an extant cohort derived from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study (n = 10,000). The de novo cohort incorporates three tiers of data collection: 1) remote baseline assessments (Tier 1, n = 6000); 2) longitudinal follow-up for up to 4 years (Tier 2, n = 6000); and 3) a subset of participants, primarily the most severely affected by PASC, who will undergo deep phenotyping to explore PASC pathophysiology (Tier 3, n = 600). Youth enrolled in the ABCD study participate in Tier 1. The pediatric protocol was developed as a collaborative partnership of investigators, patients, researchers, clinicians, community partners, and federal partners, intentionally promoting inclusivity and diversity. The protocol is adaptive to facilitate responses to emerging science. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE RECOVER-Pediatrics seeks to characterize the clinical course, underlying mechanisms, and long-term effects of PASC from birth through 25 years old. RECOVER-Pediatrics is designed to elucidate the epidemiology, four-year clinical course, and sociodemographic correlates of pediatric PASC. The data and biosamples will allow examination of mechanistic hypotheses and biomarkers, thus providing insights into potential therapeutic interventions. CLINICAL TRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER Clinical Trial Registration: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT05172011.
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Green R, Wolf BJ, Chen A, Kirkland AE, Ferguson PL, Browning BD, Bryant BE, Tomko RL, Gray KM, Mewton L, Squeglia LM. Predictors of Substance Use Initiation by Early Adolescence. Am J Psychiatry 2024; 181:423-433. [PMID: 38706327 PMCID: PMC11411615 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20230882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Substance use initiation during early adolescence is associated with later development of substance use and mental health disorders. This study used various domains to predict substance use initiation, defined as trying any nonprescribed substance (e.g., alcohol, tobacco, cannabis), by age 12, using a large longitudinal data set. METHODS Substance-naive youths from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (ages 9-10; N=6,829) were followed for 3 years. A total of 420 variables were examined as predictors of substance use initiation, using a penalized logistic regression with elastic net; domains spanned demographic characteristics, self and peer involvement with substance use, parenting behaviors, mental and physical health, culture and environment, hormones, neurocognitive functioning, and structural neuroimaging. RESULTS By age 12, 982 (14.4%) children reported substance initiation, with alcohol being the most common. Models with only self-report predictors had similar prediction performance to models adding hormones, neurocognitive factors, and neuroimaging predictors (AUCtest=0.66). Sociodemographic factors were the most robust predictors, followed by cultural and environmental factors, physical health factors, and parenting behaviors. The top predictor was a religious preference of Mormon (coefficient=-0.87), followed by a religious preference for Jewish (coefficient=0.32), and by Black youths (coefficient=-0.32). CONCLUSIONS Sociodemographic variables were the most robust predictors of substance use initiation. Adding resource-intensive measures, including hormones, neurocognitive assessment, and structural neuroimaging, did not improve prediction of substance use initiation. The application of these large-scale findings in clinical settings could help to streamline and tailor prevention and early intervention efforts.
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Margherio SM, Rountree R, Crooks-Monastra J, Brazell BF, Bellamy R, Squeglia LM. Promoting Diversity in the Biomedical Sciences with the Teen Science Ambassador Program. JOURNAL OF STEM OUTREACH 2024; 7:10.15695/jstem/v7i1.07. [PMID: 38831780 PMCID: PMC11147314 DOI: 10.15695/jstem/v7i1.07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Mental health and substance use fields suffer from underrepresentation of racially and ethnically minoritized, first-generation college student, and female members. The homogeny of the current workforce can impede scientific productivity, creativity, and problem-solving in addressing health-related issues. Our team developed the Teen Science Ambassador Program (TSAP) to provide underrepresented minoritized (URM) high school students with science-focused education, research opportunities, and mentoring within their community. The goals of the current study were to describe the logic model and structure of TSAP, provide access to a resource bank to facilitate replication across communities, and present preliminary mixed-methods outcome data to guide development of the program. Qualitative and quantitative results from our first two cohorts (N = 18; 89% girls; 72% Black or African American; 22% Hispanic or Latino; 40% of parents did not have a college degree) indicated TSAP contributed to sustained interest, increased confidence, and enhanced sense of belonging in science-related fields, especially those pertaining to mental health and substance use. These findings highlight the program's promise to facilitate entry and sustainment of URM and female youth within the biomedical sciences. Given the urgent need to promote diversity in the mental health and biomedical workforce, we provide readers with a resource bank to facilitate replication across communities.
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Rezapour T, Rafei P, Baldacchino A, Conrod PJ, Dom G, Fishbein DH, Kazemi A, Hendriks V, Newton N, Riggs NR, Squeglia LM, Teesson M, Vassileva J, Verdejo-Garcia A, Ekhtiari H. Neuroscience-informed classification of prevention interventions in substance use disorders: An RDoC-based approach. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 159:105578. [PMID: 38360332 PMCID: PMC11081014 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105578] [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: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Neuroscience has contributed to uncover the mechanisms underpinning substance use disorders (SUD). The next frontier is to leverage these mechanisms as active targets to create more effective interventions for SUD treatment and prevention. Recent large-scale cohort studies from early childhood are generating multiple levels of neuroscience-based information with the potential to inform the development and refinement of future preventive strategies. However, there are still no available well-recognized frameworks to guide the integration of these multi-level datasets into prevention interventions. The Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) provides a neuroscience-based multi-system framework that is well suited to facilitate translation of neurobiological mechanisms into behavioral domains amenable to preventative interventions. We propose a novel RDoC-based framework for prevention science and adapted the framework for the existing preventive interventions. From a systematic review of randomized controlled trials using a person-centered drug/alcohol preventive approach for adolescents, we identified 22 unique preventive interventions. By teasing apart these 22 interventions into the RDoC domains, we proposed distinct neurocognitive trajectories which have been recognized as precursors or risk factors for SUDs, to be targeted, engaged and modified for effective addiction prevention.
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Kirkland AE, Green R, Browning BD, Aghamoosa S, Meyerhoff DJ, Ferguson PL, Tomko RL, Gray KM, Squeglia LM. Multi-modal neuroimaging reveals differences in alcohol-cue reactivity but not neurometabolite concentrations in adolescents who drink alcohol. Drug Alcohol Depend 2024; 257:111254. [PMID: 38457964 PMCID: PMC11031292 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objective of this multi-modal neuroimaging study was to identify neuroscience-informed treatment targets for adolescent alcohol use disorder (AUD) by examining potential neural alterations associated with adolescent alcohol use. METHODS Adolescents (ages 17-19) who heavily used (n=49) or did not use alcohol (n=22) were recruited for a multi-modal neuroimaging protocol, including proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy within the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and an fMRI alcohol cue-reactivity task. The alcohol cue-reactivity task was analyzed across 11 a priori regions-of-interest (ROI), including the dACC, and in an exploratory whole-brain approach. Correlations were run between neurometabolite levels and alcohol cue-reactivity in the dACC. RESULTS There were no significant group differences in absolute neurometabolite concentrations. Compared to the control group, the alcohol-using group exhibited heightened alcohol cue reactivity in the left amygdala ROI (p=0.04). The whole-brain approach identified higher alcohol cue reactivity in the alcohol-using group compared to controls in the amygdala and occipital regions, and lower reactivity in the parietal lobe. Whole-brain sex effects were noted, with females displaying higher reactivity regardless of group. No significant correlations were found between neurometabolite levels and alcohol cue-reactivity in the dACC. CONCLUSIONS The null neurometabolic findings may be due to age, relatively low severity of alcohol use, and non-treatment-seeking status of the participants. Females showed overall higher reactivity to alcohol cues, indicating a sex effect regardless of alcohol use history. Higher amygdala reactivity in alcohol-using adolescents suggests that emotional processing related to alcohol cues may be a useful target for future adolescent AUD interventions.
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Browning BD, Kirkland AE, Green R, Engevik M, Alekseyenko AV, Leggio L, Tomko RL, Squeglia LM. The adolescent and young adult microbiome and its association with substance use: a scoping review. Alcohol Alcohol 2024; 59:agad055. [PMID: 37665023 PMCID: PMC10979412 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agad055] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS The microbiome is a critical factor in health throughout human development. The aims of this scoping review are to (i) elucidate the differences between the youth (post-natal day 21-65 for rodents, 2-7 years for non-human primates, and 10-25 years for humans) microbiome with other life stages and (ii) identify youth-specific microbial changes associated with substance use. METHODS Peer-reviewed studies published up to May 2023 were identified in PubMed and SCOPUS and included gut and oral microbiome studies from rodents, non-human primates, and humans (N = 1733). Twenty-six articles were determined eligible based on inclusion criteria (aim 1: n = 19, aim 2: n = 7). RESULTS The adolescent and young adult oral and gut microbiomes are distinct compared to other life stages, within both non-human and human models. While there is limited research in this area, the microbiome appears to be vulnerable to substance use exposure earlier in life, including substances commonly initiated and escalated during adolescence and young adulthood (i.e. alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco). CONCLUSIONS Studies across the lifespan indicate that adolescence and young adulthood are distinct periods of development, where the microbiome is sensitive to exposures, including substance use. There is a need for more studies focused on the adolescent and young adult microbiome and substance use, as well as focused on the oral microbiome during this developmental period. Understanding the gut and oral microbiome during adolescence and young adulthood may provide insight into the pathophysiology of substance use disorders.
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Mewton L, Davies S, Sunderland M, Champion K, Hoy N, Newton N, Teesson M, Squeglia LM. Longitudinal relationships between lifestyle risk factors and neurodevelopment in early adolescence. Health Psychol 2023; 42:904-912. [PMID: 37616102 PMCID: PMC10840638 DOI: 10.1037/hea0001248] [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] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The goal of this study is to investigate the cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between clustered lifestyle risk factors (sleep, physical activity, body mass index [BMI], and screen time) and neurodevelopment over the early adolescent period. METHOD Data from the ABCD Study Data Release 3.0 consisted of 11,878 participants (aged 9-10 years) at baseline and 6,571 participants (aged 11-12 years) at 2-year follow-up. The interrelationships between lifestyle risk factors and brain structure were analyzed using bivariate multiple indicator latent change score models. Using confirmatory factor analysis, a single lifestyle risk factor domain (measured by sleep, physical activity, BMI, and screen time) was shown to fit the data well. Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, seven brain structure domains were extracted and labeled as temporal-parietal, frontotemporal, occipital, orbitofrontal, temporal, cingulate, parietal, and cuneus domains. All bivariate latent change score models accounted for age, sex at birth, race/ethnicity, parental education, and marital status. RESULTS Higher lifestyle risk was associated with smaller brain volume at baseline. Higher baseline lifestyle risk was also associated with a greater rate of change (i.e., greater decreases) in brain volume for the temporal-parietal, frontotemporal, orbitofrontal, parietal, and cuneus domains. Effects were not reciprocal; baseline brain volume did not predict changes in lifestyle behaviors over time. CONCLUSION These findings are important for understanding the biological mechanisms underpinning health risk factors and can be used to target interventions and improve brain health during this critical developmental phase. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Kirkland AE, Tomko RL, Green R, Browning BD, Ferguson PL, Liu H, Miranda R, Gray KM, Squeglia LM. Pairwise comparisons of three medication adherence outcomes in adolescents who use alcohol. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 47:2375-2385. [PMID: 38151786 PMCID: PMC10755249 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accurate assessment of medication adherence is important for understanding pharmacotherapy outcomes across all phases of adolescent substance use disorder (SUD) clinical trials. The objective of this study was to describe and assess the pairwise concordance between three commonly used non-biological medication adherence assessment methods in adolescents who use alcohol to inform the selection of medication adherence measures for use in future youth SUD trials. METHODS Participants (N = 32, 17-19-years-old) took N-acetylcysteine and placebo, in a randomized cross-over design, for 10 days each. Medication adherence was assessed (20 days total) via pill count, medication videos submitted twice daily, and the Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS®). Lin's Concordance Correlation Coefficient (CCC) assessed concordance and Bland-Altman plots are reported. Linear mixed-effects models with main effects of medication, treatment block (first medication, second medication), and sequence were also run. RESULTS Medication videos yielded the lowest (64%) and pill count yielded the highest (89%) adherence estimates. CCC values indicated poor correspondence, except between pill count and MEMS. The Bland-Altman plots showed good pairwise agreement between all methods. Linear mixed-effects models indicated a difference between the first and second cross-over medication, with adherence estimates being lower for the second medication, regardless of whether it was N-acetylcysteine or placebo. CONCLUSIONS The study yielded important and practical information. First, incorporating more than one method of adherence assessment may capture estimated floor and ceiling adherence in the absence of a biological marker. This is particularly relevant for remote or hybrid studies where bio-marker collection is challenging. Selection of the assessment methods will depend on study goals. Second, the continuation of medication adherence research can benefit each phase of clinical trials and inform rigorous pharmacotherapy evaluation.
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Tomko RL, Gex KS, Davis CN, Schick MR, Kirkland AE, Squeglia LM, Flanagan JC, Gray KM, McRae-Clark AL. Sex and Gender Differences in Simultaneous Alcohol and Cannabis Use: a Narrative Review. CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS 2023; 10:628-637. [PMID: 38264339 PMCID: PMC10803059 DOI: 10.1007/s40429-023-00513-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Purpose of Review The aim is to review recent literature on sex and gender differences in patterns of use, motives, pharmacological effects, and consequences of simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use (SAC). Recent Findings Men engage in SAC more frequently than women. Women may have more substance-specific motives for use, while men tend to consistently endorse social/enhancement motives for both alcohol and cannabis. Regarding pharmacological effects, women experience the same subjective effects as men do at lower levels of use, with some evidence that women modulate cannabis use during simultaneous use episodes to avoid greater subjective intoxication. Finally, women appear more vulnerable to experiencing a range of positive and negative consequences from SAC relative to men. Summary Research has identified several important sex/gender differences in SAC and its correlates and consequences. However, research has primarily focused on white and cisgender populations, with a need for more research among racial/ethnic and gender minorities.
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Sahlem GL, Dowdle LT, Baker NL, Sherman BJ, Gray KM, McRae-Clark AL, Froeliger B, Squeglia LM. Exploring the Utility of a Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Cannabis Cue-Reactivity Paradigm in Treatment Seeking Adults with Cannabis Use Disorder. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.11.14.23298485. [PMID: 38014250 PMCID: PMC10680897 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.14.23298485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies examining cue-reactivity in cannabis use disorder (CUD) to date have either involved non-treatment seeking participants or been small. We addressed this gap by administering an fMRI cue-reactivity task to CUD participants entering two separate clinical trials. Methods Treatment-seeking participants with moderate or severe CUD had behavioral craving measured at baseline via the Marijuana Craving Questionnaire (MCQ-SF). They additionally completed a visual cannabis cue-reactivity paradigm during fMRI following 24-hours of abstinence from cannabis. During fMRI, the Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) signal was acquired while participants viewed cannabis-images or matched-neutral-images. BOLD responses were correlated with the MCQ-SF using a General Linear Model. Results N=65 participants (32% female; mean age 30.4±9.9SD) averaged 46.3±15.5SD on the MCQ-SF. When contrasting cannabis-images vs. matched-neutral-images, participants showed greater BOLD response in bilateral ventromedial prefrontal, dorsolateral prefrontal, anterior cingulate, and visual cortices, as well as the striatum. Similarly, there was stronger task-based functional-connectivity (tbFC) between the medial prefrontal cortex and both the amygdala and the visual cortex. There were no significant differences in either activation or tbFC between studies or between sexes. Craving negatively correlated with BOLD response in the left ventral striatum (R 2 =-0.25; p =0.01). Conclusions We found that, among two separate treatment-seeking CUD groups, cannabis cue-reactivity was evidenced by greater activation and tbFC in regions related to executive function and reward processing, and craving was negatively associated with cue-reactivity in the ventral striatum. Future directions include examining if pharmacological, neuromodulatory, or psychosocial interventions can alter corticostriatal cue-reactivity.
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Tomko RL, Wolf BJ, McClure EA, Carpenter MJ, Magruder KM, Squeglia LM, Gray KM. Who responds to a multi-component treatment for cannabis use disorder? Using multivariable and machine learning models to classify treatment responders and non-responders. Addiction 2023; 118:1965-1974. [PMID: 37132085 PMCID: PMC10524796 DOI: 10.1111/add.16226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Treatments for cannabis use disorder (CUD) have limited efficacy and little is known about who responds to existing treatments. Accurately predicting who will respond to treatment can improve clinical decision-making by allowing clinicians to offer the most appropriate level and type of care. This study aimed to determine whether multivariable/machine learning models can be used to classify CUD treatment responders versus non-responders. METHODS This secondary analysis used data from a National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network multi-site outpatient clinical trial in the United States. Adults with CUD (n = 302) received 12 weeks of contingency management, brief cessation counseling and were randomized to receive additionally either (1) N-Acetylcysteine or (2) placebo. Multivariable/machine learning models were used to classify treatment responders (i.e. two consecutive negative urine cannabinoid tests or a 50% reduction in days of use) versus non-responders using baseline demographic, medical, psychiatric and substance use information. RESULTS Prediction performance for various machine learning and regression prediction models yielded area under the curves (AUCs) >0.70 for four models (0.72-0.77), with support vector machine models having the highest overall accuracy (73%; 95% CI = 68-78%) and AUC (0.77; 95% CI = 0.72, 0.83). Fourteen variables were retained in at least three of four top models, including demographic (ethnicity, education), medical (diastolic/systolic blood pressure, overall health, neurological diagnosis), psychiatric (depressive symptoms, generalized anxiety disorder, antisocial personality disorder) and substance use (tobacco smoker, baseline cannabinoid level, amphetamine use, age of experimentation with other substances, cannabis withdrawal intensity) characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Multivariable/machine learning models can improve on chance prediction of treatment response to outpatient cannabis use disorder treatment, although further improvements in prediction performance are likely necessary for decisions about clinical care.
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Gex KS, Gray KM, Davis CN, Squeglia LM, McRae-Clark AL, Saladin ME, Tomko RL. Sex differences in the relationship between cannabis use motives and cannabis craving in daily life in emerging adults. PSYCHOLOGY OF ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS 2023; 37:809-822. [PMID: 37471012 PMCID: PMC10528470 DOI: 10.1037/adb0000945] [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] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cannabis use motives and craving are associated with increased risk for cannabis-related problems and are ideal targets for prevention and early intervention. Patterns of motives and craving reactivity to cannabis cues differ by sex; however, few studies closely examine the relationship between motives and craving and how it may differ by valence (±) across men and women. METHOD The present study used Cue Reactivity Ecological Momentary Assessment to assess reward (+) and relief (-) craving four semirandom times per day for 2 weeks in a sample of 63 emerging adults (age 18-21; 54% cisgender women; 85.7% White) who frequently use cannabis (≥ 3 times per week). We assessed craving before and after exposure to brief neutral or cannabis image cues and examined within- and between-participant effects of cue type, motives, sex/gender, and their interactions, on postcue cannabis craving. RESULTS Regardless of cue type, women with high coping motives (-) reported less postcue relief (-) craving, and men with high enhancement motives (+) reported more postcue reward (+) craving. High enhancement motives (+), regardless of sex/gender, were associated with elevated relief (-) craving reactivity to cannabis cues, and women with high coping motives (-) reported elevated reward (+) craving reactivity to cannabis cues. CONCLUSIONS Sex/gender differences in the relationships between cannabis motives and craving reactivity indicate the value of a more targeted examination of valence (±) of craving experiences in addition to motives for use. Higher levels of precision may better inform interventions for emerging adults at risk for experiencing cannabis-related problems. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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