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Addiction Biology Apr 2024One of the leading drug addiction theories states that habits and the underlying neural process of a ventral to dorsal striatal shift are the building blocks of...
One of the leading drug addiction theories states that habits and the underlying neural process of a ventral to dorsal striatal shift are the building blocks of compulsive drug-seeking behaviour and that compulsion is the maladaptive persistence of responding despite adverse consequences. Here we discuss that compulsive behaviour as defined primarily from the perspective of animal experimentation falls short of the clinical phenomena and their neurobiological correlates. Thus for the human condition, the concept of compulsive habbits should be critically addressed and potentially revised.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Behavior, Addictive; Substance-Related Disorders; Corpus Striatum; Drug-Seeking Behavior; Habits; Compulsive Behavior
PubMed: 38588458
DOI: 10.1111/adb.13379 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Sep 2023The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is central to motivation and action, exhibiting one of the highest densities of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the brain. Within the NAc, NPY plays...
The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is central to motivation and action, exhibiting one of the highest densities of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the brain. Within the NAc, NPY plays a role in reward and is involved in emotional behavior and in increasing alcohol and drug addiction and fat intake. Here, we examined NPY innervation and neurons of the NAc in humans and other anthropoid primates in order to determine whether there are differences among these various species that would correspond to behavioral or life history variables. We quantified NPY-immunoreactive axons and neurons in the NAc of 13 primate species, including humans, great apes, and monkeys. Our data show that the human brain is unique among primates in having denser NPY innervation within the NAc, as measured by axon length density to neuron density, even after accounting for brain size. Combined with our previous finding of increased dopaminergic innervation in the same region, our results suggest that the neurochemical profile of the human NAc appears to have rendered our species uniquely susceptible to neurophysiological conditions such as addiction. The increase in NPY specific to the NAc may represent an adaptation that favors fat intake and contributes to an increased vulnerability to eating disorders, obesity, as well as alcohol and drug dependence. Along with our findings for dopamine, these deeply rooted structural attributes of the human brain are likely to have emerged early in the human clade, laying the groundwork for later brain expansion and the development of cognitive and behavioral specializations.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Nucleus Accumbens; Neuropeptide Y; Brain; Behavior, Addictive; Obesity; Dopamine; Ethanol
PubMed: 37695892
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2311118120 -
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2023Gambling addiction was the first addictive behavior not related to substance use that was recognized by the DSM-5. It shares diagnostics and comorbidity with other...
BACKGROUND
Gambling addiction was the first addictive behavior not related to substance use that was recognized by the DSM-5. It shares diagnostics and comorbidity with other addictions. Extensive studies have investigated the clinical variables involved, but there have been fewer studies of related cognitive and social variables. In this research, an integrative model was developed to advance the understanding of gambling addiction, and an explanatory model was created based on the concept of cognitive distortions.
METHODS
The sample comprised 258 university students (59.5% women) with a mean age of 20.95 years (SD = 2.19). A series of questionnaires were administered to measure gambling addiction, depression, coping with stress, prosocial behavior, susceptibility to priming and cognitive distortions about gambling. In addition, correlations, multiple linear regressions and a simple mediation model of these variables were analyzed.
RESULTS
The results indicated that gambling addiction was correlated with a variety of clinical, social and cognitive factors. These factors contributed to a model that predicted 16.8% of the variance in gambling addiction and another model using cognitive distortions as a predictor and the maximum bet as a mediator that predicted 34.5% of the variance.
CONCLUSIONS
The study represents an advance by developing a theoretical model from an integrative perspective and providing a new explanatory model. The findings of this research are of great importance in the development of prevention and intervention programs for gambling addiction.
PubMed: 37830694
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11192657 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2023Internet addiction (IA) is common among adolescents and may have severe consequences. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with IA among...
INTRODUCTION
Internet addiction (IA) is common among adolescents and may have severe consequences. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with IA among middle school students of Hunan Province, China. Relevance between IA and childhood trauma was also explored.
METHODS
One thousand six hundred ten students were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Data collected included demographics; internet addiction (revised-Chen internet addiction scale); childhood trauma (CTQ-SF); depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms (DASS-21); suicidal behaviors, as well as non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Cramer's V analysis, univariable logistic regression and multivariable logistic regression were used for associations and identifying independent relevance of IA, respectively.
RESULTS
The prevalence of IA was 12.8%. Cramer's V analysis showed that IA was associated with emotional abuse, emotional and physical neglect, NSSI, suicidal behaviors, stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms, physical disorder history. Regression analysis showed that IA was independently associated with emotional neglect (OR = 3.062, 95% CI: 2.083, 4.501, < 0.001); physical neglect (OR = 2.328; 95% CI: 1.590, 3.409, < 0.001); depressive symptoms (OR = 2.218, 95% CI: 1.467, 3.353, < 0.001) nationality (OR = 1.888, 95% CI: 1.034, 3.447, = 0.006) and age (OR = 1.253, 95% CI: 1.066, 1.471, = 0.006).
DISCUSSION
IA is common among middle school students. Attention should be paid to students with childhood trauma since they have a higher risk for IA, which may increase the risk for suicidal behaviors.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Adverse Childhood Experiences; Prevalence; Cross-Sectional Studies; East Asian People; Internet Addiction Disorder
PubMed: 37663845
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1172109 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Oct 2023This review provides an overview of the most prominent neurocognitive effects of cognitive bias modification (CBM), cue-exposure therapy and mindfulness interventions... (Review)
Review
This review provides an overview of the most prominent neurocognitive effects of cognitive bias modification (CBM), cue-exposure therapy and mindfulness interventions for targeting addictive responses. It highlights the key insights that have stemmed from cognitive neuroscience and brain imaging research and combines these with insights from behavioural science in building a conceptual model integrating mindfulness with response-focused CBM or cue-exposure interventions. This furthers our understanding of whether and how mindfulness strategies may i) facilitate or add to the induced response-focused effects decreasing cue-induced craving, and ii) further weaken the link between craving and addictive responses. Specifically, awareness/monitoring may facilitate, and decentering may add to, response-focused effects. Combined awareness acceptance strategies may also diminish the craving-addiction link. The conceptual model presented in this review provides a specific theoretical framework to deepen our understanding of how mindfulness strategies and CBM or cue-exposure interventions can be combined to greatest effect. This is important in both suggesting a roadmap for future research, and for the further development of clinical interventions.
Topics: Humans; Mindfulness; Cues; Behavior, Addictive; Craving; Cognition
PubMed: 37758008
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105408 -
BMC Psychiatry Aug 2023Early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) and self-harm have been firmly linked in adults, but research on these associations in adolescents remains scarce. Additionally, the...
BACKGROUND
Early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) and self-harm have been firmly linked in adults, but research on these associations in adolescents remains scarce. Additionally, the links between EMSs and functions of self-injury has not been previously studied in this age group. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the associations of EMSs with self-harm thoughts and behavior, as well as with self-harm functions, among adolescents in specialized health care.
METHODS
The participants were recruited from first-visit 12-22-year-old adolescent patients entering specialized mental health care or pediatric care. For 118 participants, complete data were available for the Young Schema Questionnaire Short Form 2-Extended (YSQ) when entering care and the Ottawa Self-Injury Inventory Functions scale (OSI-F) one year later. YSQ was used to measure the participants' EMSs and OSI-F their self-harm thoughts and behavior. The associations of EMSs and self-harm were investigated in three groups: no self-harm, self-harm thoughts only, and both self-harm thoughts and behavior. The associations of EMSs with self-injury behavior functions were assessed in four categories: Internal Emotional Regulation, External Emotional Regulation, Social Influence, and Sensation Seeking. Additionally, EMSs' associations with addictive features of self-injury behavior were assessed. The magnitudes of effect sizes of differences between the self-harm groups were evaluated with Cliff's Delta. The associations of EMSs with self-injury functions were analyzed with general linear modeling and with self-injury addictive features using logistic regression.
RESULTS
The differences between the self-harm groups were significant for the majority of the EMSs. The stronger the EMSs were, the more severe the manifestations of self-harm. The effect sizes ranged from small to large depending on the EMS. Considering self-injury functions, Internal Emotional Regulation was associated with Self-Sacrifice EMS (p = 0.021), and External Emotional Regulation both with Abandonment (p = 0.040) and Unrelenting Standards (p = 0.012) EMSs. Being addicted to self-injury was associated with Abandonment (p = 0.043) and Dependence (p = 0.025) EMSs.
CONCLUSIONS
The present study shows that significant associations between EMSs and both self-harm thoughts and behavior exist also in adolescents. Stronger EMSs are linked to more severe self-harm. Knowledge of these associations may help to improve the understanding and treatment of adolescents suffering from self-harm.
Topics: Adult; Child; Adolescent; Humans; Young Adult; Self-Injurious Behavior; Behavior, Addictive; Emotional Regulation; Linear Models
PubMed: 37644535
DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05127-7 -
Research Square Aug 2023The progressive death of mature neurons often results in neurodegenerative diseases. While the previous studies have mostly focused on identifying intrinsic mechanisms...
The progressive death of mature neurons often results in neurodegenerative diseases. While the previous studies have mostly focused on identifying intrinsic mechanisms controlling neuronal survival, the extracellular environment also plays a critical role in regulating cell viability. Here we explore how intercellular communication contributes to the survival of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) following the optic nerve crush (ONC). Although the direct effect of the ONC is restricted to the RGCs, we observed transcriptomic responses in other retinal cells to the injury based on the single-cell RNA-seq, with astrocytes and Müller glia having the most interactions with RGCs. By comparing the RGC subclasses showing distinct resilience to ONC-induced cell death, we found that the high-survival RGCs tend to have more ligand-receptor interactions with other retinal cells, suggesting that these RGCs are intrinsically programmed to foster more communication with their surroundings. Furthermore, we identified top 47 interactions that are stronger in the high-survival RGCs, likely representing neuroprotective interactions. We performed functional assays on one of the receptors, μ opioid receptor (Oprm1), a receptor known to play roles in regulating pain, reward, and addictive behavior. Although Oprm1 is preferentially expressed in intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), its neuroprotective effect could be transferred to multiple RGC subclasses by specific overexpressing Oprm1 in pan-RGCs in ONC, excitotoxicity, and glaucoma models. Lastly, manipulating Oprm1 activity improved visual functions and altered pupillary light response in mice. Our study provides an atlas of cell-cell interactions in both intact and post-ONC retina and an effective strategy to predict molecular mechanisms in neuroprotection, underlying the principal role played by extracellular environment in supporting neuron survival.
PubMed: 37645816
DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3193738/v1 -
The association between internet addiction and sleep quality among medical students in Saudi Arabia.Annals of Medicine Dec 2024Sleep is one of the fundamental human needs, essential for maintaining a high quality of life and mental and physical well-being across all age groups. Poor sleep...
BACKGROUND
Sleep is one of the fundamental human needs, essential for maintaining a high quality of life and mental and physical well-being across all age groups. Poor sleep quality often stems from negative lifestyle habits, including excessive internet usage. Therefore, it is important to determine the prevalence of internet gaming disorder among youth in Saudi Arabia and to examine the relationship between internet addiction levels and sleep quality.
METHODS
Data were collected from 338 medical students in the southern region of Saudi Arabia (mean age = 21.2 years, standard deviation = 3.29 years). Participants completed an online questionnaire comprising the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data analysis employed iterations, chi-square tests, Pearson correlation coefficients, and ANOVA.
RESULTS
The results revealed that 21% of the participants exhibited severe internet addiction, while 31% displayed moderate internet addiction. Furthermore, the findings indicated a positive correlation between sleep quality and the severity of internet addiction. Sleep quality symptoms explained 75% of the variance in Internet addiction scores, even after controlling for demographic variables. Additional bivariate analyses revealed that individuals who spent six or more hours online daily were more likely to experience symptoms of poor sleep quality and exhibit a higher severity of internet addiction. Additionally, Men were more susceptible to developing internet addiction compared to women. Moreover, students with internet addiction tended to have lower academic achievements.
CONCLUSION
These findings, while exploratory, offer valuable insights into potential interventions, strategies, and programs for mitigating internet addiction and enhancing sleep quality among medical college students.
Topics: Male; Adolescent; Female; Humans; Young Adult; Adult; Sleep Quality; Students, Medical; Saudi Arabia; Internet Addiction Disorder; Quality of Life
PubMed: 38294763
DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2024.2307502 -
BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Apr 2024The anterior cingulate cortex plays a pivotal role in the cognitive and affective aspects of pain perception. Both endogenous and exogenous opioid signaling within the...
The anterior cingulate cortex plays a pivotal role in the cognitive and affective aspects of pain perception. Both endogenous and exogenous opioid signaling within the cingulate mitigate cortical nociception, reducing pain unpleasantness. However, the specific functional and molecular identities of cells mediating opioid analgesia in the cingulate remain elusive. Given the complexity of pain as a sensory and emotional experience, and the richness of ethological pain-related behaviors, we developed a standardized, deep-learning platform for deconstructing the behavior dynamics associated with the affective component of pain in mice-LUPE (Light aUtomated Pain Evaluator). LUPE removes human bias in behavior quantification and accelerated analysis from weeks to hours, which we leveraged to discover that morphine altered attentional and motivational pain behaviors akin to affective analgesia in humans. Through activity-dependent genetics and single-nuclei RNA sequencing, we identified specific ensembles of nociceptive cingulate neuron-types expressing mu-opioid receptors. Tuning receptor expression in these cells bidirectionally modulated morphine analgesia. Moreover, we employed a synthetic opioid receptor promoter-driven approach for cell-type specific optical and chemical genetic viral therapies to mimic morphine's pain-relieving effects in the cingulate, without reinforcement. This approach offers a novel strategy for precision pain management by targeting a key nociceptive cortical circuit with on-demand, non-addictive, and effective analgesia.
PubMed: 38746090
DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.26.591113 -
BMC Psychiatry Dec 2023Globally, Internet is a recognized form of leisure, but there are growing apprehensions about the increasing number of individuals developing an addiction to it. Recent... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Globally, Internet is a recognized form of leisure, but there are growing apprehensions about the increasing number of individuals developing an addiction to it. Recent research has focused on social issues associated with internet addiction (IA). However, the treatment of IA is currently unclear. This study aimed to explore the relationship between IA treatment outcomes and different intervention strategies through systematic review and data analysis of patients who received different intervention modes.
METHODS
A meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 14.2 on 57 literature research data from five Chinese and English databases, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Wanfang and CNKI.
RESULT
A total of 57 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this network meta-analysis involving 3538 IA patients and 13 different interventions. The network meta-analysis results demonstrated that the top four interventions were: rTMS + CBT, drug + others, rTMS, and electro-acupuncture + CBT.
CONCLUSION
Our study indicated that comprehensive therapy had an optimal therapeutic effect on IA patients and rTMS + CBT ranked first among all therapeutic indicators of intervention, indicating optimal clinical effectiveness.
Topics: Humans; Network Meta-Analysis; Internet Addiction Disorder; Behavior, Addictive; Acupuncture Therapy; Research Design
PubMed: 38066462
DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05400-9