Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology最新文献

Nearly 2 million people had a diagnosis of methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) in 2023 and overdose deaths involving psychostimulants are increasing. Given that there are no currently approved U.S. Food and Drug Administration medications for MUD, novel treatments are needed to complement standard of care behavioral treatments. Neuromodulation using transcranial focused ultrasound (FUS) has the capacity to noninvasively and precisely target subcortical structures, such as the nucleus accumbens, a structure integral to the reward neurocircuitry. Previous findings in individuals with opioid use disorder have demonstrated the potential of FUS in reducing substance craving and use; however, to date, no study has examined the effects of FUS for primary MUD. The objective of the current case study was to evaluate the safety and impact of nucleus accumbens FUS on methamphetamine craving (via a cue-induced craving paradigm) and use (via urine toxicology and self-report) in a man in his mid-20s with primary MUD. The participant received a 20-min session of low-intensity FUS (220 kHz) neuromodulation and completed follow-up visits 1-, 7-, 30-, 60-, and 90-days postprocedure. Results demonstrated that the FUS procedure was safe and well-tolerated. Cue induced craving acutely reduced during the procedure with sustained complete suppression throughout the 90-day follow-up (baseline craving rating was nine out of 10 [where 10 represents maximum craving]; craving at follow-up visits were consistently zero out of 10). Methamphetamine negative urine toxicology was observed during all follow-up visits, contrasting his pre-FUS use patterns of multiple episodes of use per week. While promising, larger, sham-controlled, randomized studies are warranted to determine the potential of FUS for MUD. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Naloxone administration can precipitate opioid withdrawal, concerns about which may result in hesitancy to use this life-saving intervention. Preclinical and clinical research suggests that cannabinoids may reduce the symptoms associated with opioid withdrawal. This proof-of-concept study sought to test the effects of vaporized cannabis pretreatment (T^-15 min) on naloxone-precipitated (T0-T⁺50) withdrawal using the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS, range = 0-48) as the primary dependent measure. Evaluating the safety of this drug combination was the secondary aim, assessed using vital signs. Before a major methodological redesign, a single participant (male, 52) with opioid use disorder completed testing. The ∼4-week inpatient study began with stabilization on oral morphine (120 mg/day). During testing, the following dose combinations of vaped cannabis (V-CB) and intranasal naloxone (IN-NLX) were tested: (a) IN-NLX 0.0 mg + V-CB 25.0 mg, (b) IN-NLX 4.0 mg + V-CB 0.0 mg, (c) IN-NLX 0.0 mg + V-CB 12.5 mg, (d) IN-NLX 4.0 mg + V-CB 12.5 mg, (e) IN-NLX 0.0 mg + V-CB 0.0 mg, and (f) IN-NLX 4.0 mg + V-CB 25.0 mg. Naloxone alone resulted in a COWS score of 22 at T+30. CB pretreatment (12.5 mg and 25.0 mg) reduced COWS scores at T+30 to 17 and 14, respectively. Active NLX and V-CB administered in combination resulted in elevated heart rate and blood pressure, though not to a greater extent than NLX alone. This study found that the addition of a cannabinoid reduced the severity of NLX-precipitated withdrawal and supported the continued investigation into combined NLX + cannabinoid formulations as overdose reversal agents. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Impulsivity and individual differences in alcohol sensitivity (e.g., subjective response to alcohol) have been related to alcohol use behaviors, but scant research has examined how these two constructs are related to each other. Consequently, this pilot study aimed (1) to examine associations between impulsivity domains (impulsive action, impulsive choice, and impulsive personality features) and alcohol sensitivity during alcohol administration in the laboratory; (2) to test daily associations between impulsivity domains and sensitivity to reward during ecological momentary assessment (EMA); and (3) to explore consistency between alcohol sensitivity scores in the lab and EMA. Participants (N = 26; 38.5% male, 61.5% female) were students (graduate and undergraduate) who engaged in recent (past-month) alcohol use and heavy drinking in the past 6 months. Participants completed an in-person alcohol administration session followed by 10 days of EMA. For Aim 1, results indicated that individuals with a greater lack of perseverance reported greater cravings and willingness to drive during the alcohol administration session. Negative and positive urgency were positively associated with liking the alcoholic beverage. For Aim 2, within-person associations revealed that greater than usual lack of premeditation was associated with greater craving while drinking, and greater than usual lack of perseverance was related to less willingness to drive. For Aim 3, subjective effects for liking, craving, and stimulation scores were greater during the EMA portion as compared to the laboratory session. Our findings suggested that individual differences in some impulsive personality features played a role in the motivation to consume alcohol in the laboratory and real world. Future research should replicate these pilot findings and expand on contextual factors that may be driving the present study's associations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

This study investigated the therapeutic effects of sertraline in pediatric patients diagnosed with depression, focusing on its impact on serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), serotonin (5-HT), and inflammatory cytokines. A total of 164 pediatric patients were randomly divided into two groups: the sertraline and control groups, with 82 participants in each. Depressive symptoms were evaluated at 2 and 4 weeks using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) and the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R). Serum concentrations of BDNF, 5-HT, and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α) were quantified using ELISA. Results demonstrated no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the groups. After 4 weeks, both groups showed reductions in HAMD-17 and CDRS-R scores and interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α levels, as well as increases in BDNF and 5-HT levels. Notably, at the 2-week mark, the sertraline group had significantly lower scores in both depression scales and inflammatory cytokines compared to the control group (fluoxetine treatment), indicating an early onset of action. Despite these findings, by 4 weeks, differences in HAMD-17 and CDRS-R scores, BDNF, and 5-HT levels between the two groups were no longer significant, although the sertraline group maintained lower levels of inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, the sertraline group reported higher rates of early improvement and adverse events, though no significant differences in remission or response rates were found between the groups. Overall, sertraline demonstrates effectiveness in alleviating depressive symptoms in children during the initial treatment period, potentially via mechanisms involving BDNF, 5-HT, and inflammation modulation, although it presents a less favorable safety profile compared to fluoxetine. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Substance use disorders (SUDs) can be explained in part by the availability and amount of alternative substance-free reinforcers, which are recognized as the main target in treatment of SUDs. Most questionnaires examining this area assess activities in teens or young adults from the general population and, have not been assessed in the context of treatment of SUDs, and do not address the wide range that is needed in order to plan recreational activities that are incompatible with substance use in clinical contexts, as well as to identify activities that could pose a risk for relapse. This study aimed to develop a new instrument (i.e., the Oviedo Leisure Activities Scale; OLAS-70) to measure substance-free and substance-related reinforcement. It also sought to provide validity evidence based on the relationship with the European Addiction Severity Index, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Reward Probability Index. The participants in this cross-sectional study were 542 adults (M_age = 38.71, SD = 10.66) undergoing inpatient or outpatient interventions for SUDs. Participants completed the European Addiction Severity Index, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Reward Probability Index, and the OLAS-70 within a month of starting treatment. The OLAS-70 demonstrated validity evidence in relation to addiction severity, depression, and probability of environmental reward. Participants with drug use problems according to the European Addiction Severity Index exhibited higher proportion of substance-related reinforcement ratio due to engaging in activities while under the influence of substances, including sports, hobbies, and artistic activities. The OLAS-70 is valid for measuring both substance-free and substance-related reinforcement and provides clinically useful information for treatment planning, identifying high-risk situations for substance use relapse, and scheduling reinforcing, positive activities during interventions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Despite robust evidence, there is a low uptake of incentive-based contingency management (CM) for substance use treatment due to provider worries about client perceptions of CM and high implementation costs. Research has attempted to address these concerns to facilitate the dissemination of CM for adult substance use. However, little research has explored these barriers to disseminating CM for adolescents. The present study assessed the degree to which parents (those most likely to be payors of adolescent treatment) held positive and negative views of incentives for substance use treatment, preferred fixed- versus variable-ratio schedules of reinforcement and immediate versus delayed receipt of reinforcers, and were willing to pay for incentive-based treatment. One hundred twenty-three parents of adolescents currently using substances (N = 123) were recruited via Facebook to participate in a survey study. While results show parents endorsed some objections, parents overwhelmingly endorsed positive views about incentives for adolescent substance use treatment and indicated a willingness to pay out-of-pocket costs. Also, parents endorsed incentives with fixed amounts over variable amounts. Finally, parent age was significantly associated with the likelihood of accepting incentives, and perception of incentives was significantly associated with the likelihood of agreeing to engage and willingness to pay for incentive-based treatment. This study showed parents largely accept the idea of incentives for substance use treatment and support exploring a self-pay model to increase the dissemination of CM. Research is needed to examine perceptions of incentives for substance use treatment among adolescents themselves and explore novel ways of integrating voucher- and prize-based procedures. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Knowledge regarding in-the-moment antecedents of cannabis use is lacking. We examined internal (e.g., mood, cravings) and external (e.g., locations, people) antecedents of cannabis use among young adults regularly using both cannabis and tobacco. Over 30 days, 36 young adults (M_age = 24.2 years, 33% female, 8% nonbinary, 61% sexual minority, 44% Non-Hispanic White) completed multiple daily Ecological Momentary Assessment surveys, totaling 1,632 prompts. Generalized estimating equations estimated population-averaged relationships between the presence of antecedents and cannabis use outcomes (use vs. nonuse). Overall cannabis use was likelier at neutral ranges of affect (aOR = 0.95; 95% CI [0.91, 1.00]) and affective arousal (aOR = 1.52; 95% CI [0.91, 1.00], see Footnote 1), higher cannabis craving (aOR = 1.52; 95% CI [1.31, 1.76]), and substance intoxication (aOR = 1.25; 95% CI [1.01, 1.55]). Overall use was likelier at home (aOR = 1.97; 95% CI [1.16, 3.37]), and less likely in a place where cannabis smoking was forbidden (aOR = 0.46; 95% CI [0.25, 0.85]) or more people were present (aOR = 0.91; 95% CI [0.87, 0.96]). Other antecedents of use were seeing cannabis product packaging (aOR = 1.91; 95% CI [1.07, 3.39]) and experiencing racial/ethnic-based discrimination (aOR = 2.26; 95% CI [1.39, 3.69]). Future digital interventions for cannabis use will benefit from (a) testing real-time interactions between internal and external antecedents and (b) triggering interventions while users are at home alone, after discrimination experiences, and/or when feeling mild, neutral affect. Note: CIs containing 1.00 interpreted as statistically significant are due to having rounded up to the upper limit. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

The study aimed to investigate to what extent acute moderate doses of alcohol affect the speed of endogenous versus exogenous attentional shift times. Subjects viewed an array of 10 moving clocks and reported the time a clock indicated when cued. Target clocks were indicated by cues, presented peripherally at the target clock or centrally pointing toward a target clock, including conditions of where the target location was cued in advance, that is, precueing. This allowed assessing shift times when attention was preallocated, when peripheral cues triggered exogenous attention shifts, and when central cues triggered endogenous attention shifts. Each subject participated in two sessions (alcohol/placebo), whereby the order of alcohol/placebo intake was counterbalanced across subjects, and subjects were blinded to conditions. Confirming previous results, we show that precuing resulted in the fastest shift times, followed by exogenous cuing, with endogenous attentional shifts being slowest. Alcohol increased attentional shift times across all three conditions compared to placebo. Thus, the detrimental effects of alcohol on attentional shift times did not depend on the type of attention probed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

This study prospectively examined the interplay of culturally ingrained beliefs regarding the benefits of substance use, social milieu featured by disengaged parents and deviant friends, and behavior undercontrol on the development of substance use disorder (SUD) by early adulthood. The sample at baseline consisted of 497 youths between 10 and 12 years of age. Subsequent evaluations were conducted when the participants attained 12-14, 16, and 22 years of age. The research protocol was composed of self-report, informant report, and performance measures. Positive beliefs about substance use effects were evaluated using the Adolescent Alcohol and Drug Expectancy Questionnaire. The social milieu was characterized by the environtype index encompassing parental engagement and normative behavior of friends. Behavior control was quantified using the neurobehavior disinhibition scale. Substance use frequency and intensity of reward experience during consumption were recorded using the Drug Use Screening Inventory and the Substance Use Questionnaire. The outcome variable, lifetime SUD, was diagnosed using the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnosis. Structural equation modeling evaluated the association among these variables. Beliefs regarding the benefits of consumption mediated the associations of childhood social milieu with substance use frequency and reward intensity during the transition into adolescence. Reward intensity during this developmental period predicted consumption frequency and severity of behavior undercontrol in midadolescence, which conjointly predicted SUD by early adulthood. This study demonstrated that SUD manifested by early adulthood culminates from the coaction of acquired cultural beliefs, social context facilitating access to addictive chemicals, and suboptimal psychological self-regulation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

There is growing evidence that poor sleep contributes to increased alcohol use and related impairment among college students (DeMartini & Fucito, 2014), with heavy drinking exacerbating these effects. Efforts to reduce this impact via online personalized feedback interventions (PFIs) have had limited success, and there is a dearth of research on attempts to simultaneously address these concerns among college students using brief, web-based interventions. The present study assessed intervention efficacy in addition to the impact of sleep disturbance on alcohol outcomes using a novel, brief, online PFI for sleep problems among college students who drink heavily. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the three interventions: PFI-Alcohol (n = 66), PFI-Alcohol-Sleep (n = 64), or assessment-only control (n = 66). Alcohol use, related impairment, and sleep problems decreased from baseline to 1-month follow-up under all conditions. However, participants under the control condition endorsed greater alcohol use during follow-up compared with intervention conditions. Notably, baseline insomnia symptoms predicted follow-up alcohol problems (but not use) when accounting for variance attributable to baseline negative affect, condition, and sex. More work is needed to examine the impact of brief online PFIs that concurrently target alcohol use and sleep problems among college students to determine its impact on reducing related-problems in this population. Results highlight the need for further investigation of the incorporation of sleep components within online alcohol PFIs to reduce heavy drinking and sleep problems among college students. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).