Influence of Cocaine‐Related Images and Alcohol Administration on Inhibitory Control in Cocaine Users

Abstract

Background Alcohol use and impulsivity, including decreased inhibitory control, predict poor treatment outcomes for individuals with cocaine use disorders. This study sought to determine the effects of alcohol administration on inhibitory control following cocaine-related and neutral cues on the Attentional Bias-Behavioral Activation (ABBA) task in cocaine users. We hypothesized that the proportion of inhibitory failures would increase following cocaine cues compared to neutral cues. We further hypothesized that there would be an interaction between alcohol administration and task version, such that alcohol would impair inhibitory control following cocaine, but not neutral cues. Methods Fifty current cocaine users completed this mixed-model, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study over two experimental sessions. The ABBA task was completed following alcohol administration (0.0 and 0.65 g/kg). Subject-rated drug-effect and physiological measures were collected prior to and after alcohol administration. Results Proportion of inhibitory failures was increased following cocaine-related cues compared to neutral cues independent of alcohol dose. Alcohol administration also produced prototypical subject-rated drug-effects. Conclusions A better understanding of the relationship between alcohol consumption and inhibitory control in cocaine users could direct the development of interventions to decrease the risk of relapse in individuals who drink and display impaired inhibitory control.

Characterizing motor impulsivity of individuals classified as overweight to obese

“… 10 , 11 The present study specifically focused on participants' ability to suppress pre-potent responses to cues (motor impulsivity), traditionally measured using Stop Signal and Go/No-Go tasks. 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 In the context of eating, the pre-potent response when presented with food (especially highly rewarding, energy-dense food) is to eat it. This is an evolutionarily conserved trait, once serving as an important survival mechanism when food was often more difficult to obtain.…”