Drug abusers have impaired cerebral oxygenation and cognition during exercise

Abstract

BackgroundIndividuals with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) have lower baseline metabolic activity of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) associated with impairment of cognitive functions in decision-making and inhibitory control. Aerobic exercise has shown to improve PFC function and cognitive performance, however, its effects on SUD individuals remain unclear.PurposeTo verify the cognitive performance and oxygenation of the PFC during an incremental exercise in SUD individuals.MethodsFourteen individuals under SUD treatment performed a maximum graded exercise test on a cycle ergometer with continuous measurements of oxygen consumption, PFC oxygenation, and inhibitory control (Stroop test) every two minutes of exercise at different intensities. Fifteen non-SUD individuals performed the same protocol and were used as control group.ResultsExercise increased oxyhemoglobin (O2Hb) and total hemoglobin (tHb) by 9% and 7%, respectively. However, when compared to a non-SUD group, this increase was lower at high intensities (p<0.001), and the inhibitory cognitive control was lower at rest and during exercise (p<0.007). In addition, PFC hemodynamics during exercise was inversely correlated with inhibitory cognitive performance (reaction time) (r = -0.62, p = 0.001), and a lower craving perception for the specific abused substance (p = 0.0189) was reported immediately after exercise.ConclusionDespite SUD individuals having their PFC cerebral oxygenation increased during exercise, they presented lower cognition and oxygenation when compared to controls, especially at elevated intensities. These results may reinforce the role of exercise as an adjuvant treatment to improve PFC function and cognitive control in individuals with SUD.

The effects of an acute bout of exercise on neural activity in alcohol and cocaine craving: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

“…Importantly for the purposes of the present study, Bunce et al [28] have used fNIRS imaging to show enhanced responses to alcohol cues in non-treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent patients (compared to social drinkers). In the sole study to examine craving for alcohol and cocaine, discussed in detail in the following, Grandjean da Costa et al [29] found exercise-induced increases in oxygenated blood concentrations in the prefrontal cortex compared to baseline, accompanied by lower craving scores. Increases in oxygenation were, however, less pronounced than those in healthy controls.…”

“…To date, one study has examined the effect of an acute exercise bout on cocaine and alcohol craving, and has employed fNIRS during a test of inhibitory control to examine whether this may be a moderating factor. Grandjean da Costa et al [29] reported reductions in cravings for alcohol or cocaine following a maximal exercise test; however, no significant improvements in reaction time on the Stroop test were observed. While this study is an important initial step in exploring whether, and to what extent, exercise-induced reductions in craving occur, and are moderated by inhibitory control, two aspects of the study design might obscure certain effects.…”

The Benefits of High Intensity Exercise on the Brain of a Drug Abuser

“…Previous studies have shown the wide range of benefits that exercise promotes on frontal regions of the brain (Hillman, Erickson, & Kramer, 2008;Tempest & Parfitt, 2016), cognition, ANS control and psychosocial aspects (Bahrke & Morgan, 1978;Flausino, Da Silva Prado, de Queiroz, Tufik, & de Mello, 2012). Studies have also suggested aerobic exercise as a possible complementary tool to treat substance use disorder such as alcohol and cocaine Grandjean da Costa et al, 2017;Manthou et al, 2016;Roessler, 2010). Despite the wide range of benefits, aerobic exercise is usually performed at low and moderate intensity during long training sessions (>30 min), becoming monotonous and only having the effects experienced after several weeks.…”

O impacto do exercício físico aeróbico sobre comorbidade psiquiátrica, impulsividade e comportamento de jogo, em portadores de transtorno do jogo: um estudo randomizado e controlado

“…as taxas de mortalidade (Gebel et al, 2015). (Blumenthal et al, 1999;Blumenthal et al, 2007;Abrantes et al, 2017;Gerber et al, 2016;Blumenthal & Doraiswamy, 2014;Berhman et al, 2014;Adamoli & Azevedo, 2009); para o tratamento da ansiedade (Stubbs et al, 2017;Khanzada et al, 2015;Björg Helgadóttir et al, 2015;); nos comportamentos aditivos (Brown et al, 2010;Grandjean da Costa et al, 2017); no transtorno afetivo bipolar (Wright K et al, 2012;MacQueen & Memedovich, 2017;Proudfoot et al, 2012) e no transtorno de estresse pós traumático (TEPT), onde os sintomas pós-traumáticos, e depressivos, melhoraram, significativamente (Shivakumar et al, (2017). A maioria dessas condições são frequentes em portadores de TJ (Tavares et al, 2003).…”

“…Contudo, não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os grupos para as variáveis de jogo. (Brown et al, 2010;Grandjean da Costa et al, 2017).…”