A review of functional brain differences predicting relapse in substance use disorder: Actionable targets for new methods of noninvasive brain stimulation. (October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gibson, Benjamin C.; Claus, Eric D.; Sanguinetti, Jay; Witkiewitz, Katie; Clark, Vincent P.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews. Volume 141(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-10
• Subjects: Brain Stimulation -- Relapse -- Substance use disorder -- Precision medicine -- Addictions Neuroclinical Assessment; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Behavior -- Periodicals; Ethology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiologie -- Périodiques; Comportement humain -- Périodiques; Animaux -- Mœurs et comportement -- Périodiques; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Animal behavior; Human behavior; Neurology; Psychophysiology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 573.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104821
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-7634

Abstract

Abstract: Neuroimaging studies have identified a variety of brain regions whose activity predicts substance use (i.e., relapse) in patients with substance use disorder (SUD), suggesting that malfunctioning brain networks may exacerbate relapse. However, this knowledge has not yet led to a marked improvement in treatment outcomes. Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has shown some potential for treating SUDs, and a new generation of NIBS technologies offers the possibility of selectively altering activity in both superficial and deep brain structures implicated in SUDs. The goal of the current review was to identify deeper brain structures involved in relapse to SUD and give an account of innovative methods of NIBS that might be used to target them. Included studies measured fMRI in currently abstinent SUD patients and tracked treatment outcomes, and fMRI results were organized with the framework of the Addictions Neuroclinical Assessment (ANA). Four brain structures were consistently implicated: the anterior and posterior cingulate cortices, ventral striatum and insula. These four deeper brain structures may be appropriate future targets for the treatment of SUD using these innovative NIBS technologies. Highlights: Task-based fMRI studies used to classify relapse risk in SUDs were reviewed. Implicated structures include the ACC, VS, Insula, and PCC. fMRI contrasts were organized within the Addictions Neuroclinical Assessment. Emerging forms of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) are described. Implicated deep structures provide potential targets for novel NIBS based SUD treatment.