Attentional Bias for Drug Cues in Heroin Dependence

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that heroin dependence exhibit an attentional bias toward heroin- related cues. In present article, we reviewed evidence regarding theoretical explanation, paradigm and researches in this field. Incentive-sensitization model, cognitive processing model, integration model may explain the attentional bias in heroin dependence. The paradigms include stroop task, probe-detection and so on. It was found that heroin-related stimuli have acquired attention-grabbing properties. Furthermore, those cues are selected for sustained attentive processing. Although several studies now reveal that attentional bias is related to heroin craving, it is still unknown the causal role of attentional bias and drug craving. The characteristic of attentional bias in heroin dependence become very complicated during detoxification treatment. Further research in this area should concentrate on the neural mechanisms of attentional bias, the relationship between attentional bias and executive cognitive functioning, and the clinical effectiveness of attentional bias training in heroin dependence.