The effects of working memory load and attention refocusing on delay discounting rates in alcohol use disorder with comorbid antisocial personality disorder

Abstract

Executive working memory capacity (eWMC) is central to adaptive decision-making. Research has revealed reduced eWMC and higher rates of impulsive decision making in individuals with alcohol use disorders (AUDs: DSM-IV Alcohol Dependence of Alcohol Abuse) and antisocial psychopathology (AP). Recent work has shown that placing a load on working memory (WM) further increases impulsive decision making on the delay discounting (DD) task in those with AUDs and AP. The current study examined the effects of an attention refocusing manipulation to offset the effects of this WM-load on DD rates in control subjects, those with AUDs without AP, and AUDs with AP (AUD-AP). Results revealed that 1) the AUD-AP group had higher DD rates (i.e., more impulsive decision-making) than the AUD group, followed by controls, and 2) attention refocusing after a load is placed on WM was associated with lower DD rates compared to the load without refocusing in both AUD groups, but not controls. Results suggest that refocusing attention after a cognitive load may be an effective cognitive strategy for reducing the impulsivity-enhancing effects of cognitive load on decision making in individuals with AUDs and AP.

Self-Control in Intertemporal Choice and Mediterranean Dietary Pattern

“…According to studies in cognitive psychology, self-control in time discounting is associated with working memory ( 45 ), attention ( 46 ), executive functions ( 47 ), episodic future thinking ( 48 ), and time perception ( 49 ). Future studies should examine which cognitive components are modulated by MD adherence.…”

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Is Highly Comorbid With Adult ADHD in Alcohol Use Disorder Inpatients

“…We can thus consider that a positive ASRS score without the presence of childhood ADHD is a false positive. The scores of the ASRS (adult attention deficit symptoms) by individuals with AUD and PTSD are likely to be biased by false positives, due to the fact that heavy drinking affects attention and working memory (Gunn et al, 2018; Harvey, 2016; Wesley et al, 2017). The results could also be biased by the fact that PTSD causes negative alterations in cognition, both clinically ( DSM-5 , APA, 2013) and neurophysiologically (Herz et al, 2016), which may persist over time (Yehuda et al, 2005).…”

Substance Use Among Older People Living With HIV: Challenges for Health Care Providers

“…Chronic substance use has been shown to lead to impaired cognitive performance. Relationships that have been identified include the following: (1) cocaine affects long-lasting memory (67); (2) amphetamine use is related to attention and impulse control (68); (3) opioids impact attention and performance on memory tasks (69); (4) alcohol affects working memory and attention (70); (5) cannabis impacts cognitive shifting and sustained attention (71); and (6) nicotine has been shown to have an impact on working memory and sustained attention (72).…”