Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Scores Research Articles

Characterizing impulsivity in individuals with methamphetamine and methcathinone use disorders.

Individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) are characterized by loss of control in drug use, such as increased impulsivity. Methamphetamine and methcathinone are psychostimulants, the use of which is accompanied by a high level of impulsivity. Whether individuals with methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) and methcathinone use disorder (MCUD) differ in different aspects of impulsivity is unclear. We investigated impulsivity traits and behaviors in individuals with MUD and MCUD. The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS), and delay discounting task (DDT) were assessed in individuals with MUD and MCUD and in healthy controls (HCs); then, we performed network-based analysis and computational modeling to understand the potential differences among the three groups. MUD subjects scored higher than MCUD subjects in terms of motor impulsivity, nonplanning impulsivity, and total BIS scores. The network analysis revealed that there were no significant differences between MUD and MCUD subjects in any centrality indices. The discount rate of MUD and MCUD subjects was significantly greater than that of HCs, whereas there was no difference in the discount rate between the two addiction groups. These findings suggest that MUD and MCUD participants differ in impulsivity traits but not in impulsive behaviors, implying that impulsive traits and behaviors represent different aspects of impulsivity.

Neurocognitive function and medical care utilization in Veterans treated for substance use disorder

BackgroundVeterans with substance use disorder (SUD) are at high risk for cognitive problems due to neurotoxic effects of chronic drug and alcohol use coupled in many cases with histories of traumatic brain injury (TBI). These problems may in turn result in proneness to SUD relapse and reduced adherence to medical self-care regimens and therefore reliance on health care systems. However, the direct relationship between cognitive function and utilization of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) SUD and other VHA health care services has not been evaluated. We sought initial evidence as to whether neurocognitive performance relates to repeated health care engagement in Veterans as indexed by estimated VHA care costs.MethodsNeurocognitive performance in 76 Veterans being treated for SUD was assessed using CNS-Vital Signs, a commercial computerized cognitive testing battery, and related to histories of outpatient and inpatient/residential care costs as estimated by the VHA Health Economics Resource Center.ResultsAfter controlling for age, an aggregate metric of overall neurocognitive performance (Neurocognition Index) correlated negatively with total VHA health care costs, particularly with SUD-related outpatient care costs but also with non-mental health-related care costs. Barratt Impulsiveness Scale scores also correlated positively with total VHA care costs.ConclusionsIn Veterans receiving SUD care, higher impulsivity and lower cognitive performance were associated with greater health care utilization within the VHA system. This suggests that veterans with SUD who show lower neurocognitive performance are at greater risk for continued health problems that require healthcare engagement. Cognitive rehabilitation programs developed for brain injury and other neurological conditions could be tried in Veterans with SUD to improve their health outcomes.

Reflection impulsivity in patients with panic disorder

ABSTRACT Background Individuals with panic disorder (PD) often exhibit a proclivity to conclude that an imminent catastrophe looms, drawing such conclusions from limited physical information. Reflection impulsivity, characterized by decision-making without adequate information, likely affects this bias. This study examines the relationship between reflection impulsivity and self-report impulsive features in individuals with PD. Methods Fifty patients with PD and 50 healthy controls (HC) participated to this study. Reflection impulsivity was assessed using the Information Sampling Task (IST), while trait impulsivity was measured using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS). Participants also completed the Beck Anxiety Inventory, Panic and Agoraphobia Scale (P&A), and Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3). Results Individuals with PD exhibited higher reflection impulsivity compared to HC. Increased reflection impulsivity correlated positively with PD severity as assessed by the P&A and cognitive concerns measured by ASI-3. No significant correlations were found with physical or social concerns. PD patients had higher BIS scores than HC. Higher trait impulsivity was linked to recurrent emergency department visits among PD patients. Discussion The findings of this study reveal the notion of increased impulsivity among individuals with PD and its relationship with cognitive concerns, as well as recurrent visits to the emergency department stemming from panic attacks.

Neural Correlates of Trait Impulsivity among Adult Healthy Individuals.

: Impulsivity can be observed in individuals with or without mental illness. The discovery of neural correlates responsible for trait impulsivity can therefore help to understand the severity of psychiatric symptoms, personality characteristics and social adjustment. In this study, we aimed to identify the gray matter substrates of trait impulsivity in healthy individuals. : Seventy-five healthy individuals were enrolled. At baseline, trait impulsivity was assessed using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS) and all participants underwent T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scan. Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) were also assessed. Mean cortical thickness (CT) and the local gyrification index (LGI) were calculated to perform whole-brain vertex-wise correlation analysis, which were performed to investigate the relationship between BIS scores and CT or LGI in each brain region. We also revealed the relationship between brain regions and psychological measurements. : Total BIS scores were significantly and negatively correlated with mean CT values in the left lateral occipital cortex (OC) and LGIs in the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). Correlation analyses revealed that the lateral OC's mean CT values were negatively correlated with BAI scores and positively correlated with WHOQOL-BREF scores, while LGI in the IFG was positively correlated with CD-RISC scores. : Our study showed that trait impulsivity might be associated with the lateral OC and IFG in healthy individuals. Understanding the neural correlates of trait impulsivity could provide ways to expect high impulsivity, anxiety, and poor resilience in healthy adults.

The Role of BDNF and NPY Levels, Effects of Behavioral Systems and Emotion Regulation on Internet Addiction in Adolescents.

Internet addiction (IA), one of the behavioral addictions, is also related to impulsivity. Although studies on its etiology and risks continue, the number of studies is limited. In this study, we aimed to assess the roles of behavioral systems, emotional regulation (ER), and impulsivity in the development of IA in adolescents and also to assess the relationship between all these clinical parameters and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neuropeptide Y (NPY). Forty-two adolescents with IA and 30 healthy controls (ages 12 -17) were included in the study. Self-reported measures included the Internet Addiction Scale.(IAS), Behavioral Activation and Behavioral Inhibition Scale (BAS/BIS), Barratt.Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-16 (DERS-16) were used for the assessment of the participants. The levels of plasma brain BDNF and NPY were evaluated with the ELISA method. BAS/BIS subscale scores, BIS-11, and DERS-16 scale total scores were found to be statistically significantly higher, while BDNF and NPY levels were found to be lower in adolescents with IA compared to the healthy controls. IA severity was not found to correlate with both BDNF and NPY. IA was found to be more related to BIS than to BAS. There is a need for further studies evaluating developmental features and possible diagnostic biomarkers that may be associated with IA in adolescents.

How general functioning of family affects gambling-related beliefs: the mediating role of communication and the moderating role of impulsivity trait.

Gambling behaviors can be exhibited by individuals raised in families with impaired parent-child communication and individuals with more impulsive traits. However, it remains unclear how gambling-related beliefs are modulated by impulsivity traits and parent-child communication styles. A total of 95 adult patients (age ≥ 18 years) diagnosed via DSM-5 criteria with gambling disorder (GD) completed our questionnaire. Participants filled out pen-and-paper questionnaires that included basic demographic information, the Family Assessment Device (FAD), Parent-Adolescent Communication Scale (PACS), Gambling Attitude and Belief Survey (GABS), and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS). We used a moderation mediation model to explore the relationship between variables. The study results were considered statistically significant if p < 0.05, or the 95% confidence interval did not contain zero. The scores of the problems in communication with mother subscale (PCMS) of PACS were significantly positively correlated with the scores of GABS and the general functioning 12-item subscale (GF12) of FAD. The relationship between the scores of GF12 and GABS was completely mediated [β = 4.83, (1.12, 10.02)] by PCMS scores, and the BIS scores moderated this relationship: the predictive path between GF12 and PCMS scores [index of moderated was β = -0.25, (-0.60, -0.04)], and the indirect predictive front path between the scores of GF12 and GABS were significant only in subjects with low BIS scores. These findings suggest that poor general functioning of the family may increase gambling-related beliefs as a result of communication problems with mothers, and this result is only significant for individuals with low impulsivity. When treating patients with GD, more treatment of mother-child communication issues and individual impulsivity may be more conducive to their recovery.

The effects of expected and unexpected stress on inappropriate aggression in simulated police interventions

Here we performed a before-after ABA-design study in police cadets (N = 82) to compare the effects of unexpected (event-triggered) and expected (anticipatory) stressors on aggression. On the first day of the study, participants filled in the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ) and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS) and were fitted with heart rate (HR) monitors, which remained attached till the end of the study. On day 2, they were instructed to perform a police intervention in a realistic training environment. The intervention was preceded either by a warning or by a reassuring audio recording that forecasted violent or routine interventions, respectively. Both groups encountered hostile suspects at the intervention site, the behavior of which, however, did not justify the use of force e.g., aggression. The warning resulted in a gradually developing anticipatory stress as shown by HRs. Cadets exposed to the reassuring audio recording showed minimal anticipatory stress but responded to the hostile suspects by an abrupt increase in HRs, which was missing in the warned group. The magnitude of HR responses was similar in the two groups, only their temporal evolution differed. Although aggression showed some associations with BPAQ and BIS scores, the main predictors of behavior were HR changes according to a Multiple Regression analysis. The gradually developing anticipatory stress was associated with low, whereas the abrupt increase in HRs was associated with high aggression. Our findings suggest that the anticipation of a stressful event improves behavioral control whereas an unexpected stress strongly promotes aggression.

The genetic susceptibility analysis of TAAR1 rs8192620 to methamphetamine and heroin abuse and its role in impulsivity.

Abnormal genetic polymorphism of trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) rs8192620 site has been confirmed to induce methamphetamine (MA) use and drug craving. However, the genetic susceptibility difference between MA addicts and heroin addicts is unknown. This study evaluated genetic heterogeneity of TAAR1 rs8192620 between MA and heroin addicts and elucidated whether rs8192620 genotypes associated with discrepancy in emotional impulsivity, which would help to instruct individualized treatment in addiction via acting on TAAR1 and evaluate risk of varied drug addiction. Participants consisting of gender-matched 63 MA and 71 heroin abusers were enrolled in the study. Due to mixed drug usage in some MA addicts, MA users were further subdivided into 41 only-MA (only MA taking) and 22 mixed-drug (Magu composed of about 20% MA and 70% caffeine) abusers. Via inter-individual single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis and two-sample t tests, respectively, the genotypic and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11) scores differences between groups were completed. With following genotypic stratification, the differences in BIS-11 scores between groups were analyzed through two-sample t test. Individual SNP analysis showed significant differences in alleles distribution of rs8192620 between MA and heroin subjects (p = 0.019), even after Bonferroni correction. The TT homozygotes of rs8192620 dominated in MA participants, while C-containing genotypes in heroin (p = 0.026). There was no association of genotypes of TAAR1 rs8192620 with addicts' impulsivity. Our research indicates that the TAAR1 gene polymorphism might mediate the susceptibility discrepancy between MA and heroin abuse.

Brain structural abnormalities and trait impulsivity in suicidal and non-suicidal patients with bipolar disorder

BackgroundImpulsivity is a characteristic of patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and may result in a higher risk of suicide attempt (SA). Although brain structural abnormalities have been suggested in the pathophysiology of BD, the relationship to impulsivity and suicide in BD is still not clear. Methods52 euthymic patients with BD (26 of them had a history of SA) and 56 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited. All participants received clinical assessment, including Barratt impulsiveness scale (BIS), and underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging examination. An automated surface-based method (FreeSurfer) was used to measure brain volume and cortical surface area. A general linear model was applied to analyze the association between brain-wise greater gray matter volume (GMV), surface area and BIS scores separately for BD patients with and without SA history. ResultsBD patients with SA history scored higher in BIS total score and subscores in attention, motor, cognitive complexity and cognitive instability than those without SA history and controls (all p < 0.01). In patients with SA history, higher BIS scores were associated with greater GMV in the left pars triangularis and greater surface area in left pars opercularis (all p < 0.01). BD patients with SA history showed a greater GMV in inferior frontal gyrus than patients without SA history (p < 0.05). LimitationThe cross-sectional design precluded examination of chronological relationships of SA, brain structural abnormalities, and trait impulsivity among BD. ConclusionsThe findings indicate that the prefrontal cortex, especially the left inferior frontal gyrus, plays a vital role in trait impulsivity and suicidal behavior among patients with BD.

Impulsivity and alexithymia predict early versus subsequent relapse in patients with alcohol use disorder: A 1-year longitudinal study.

Longitudinal psychopathological predictors of relapse in alcohol use disorder are unclear. Relapses, sociodemographic and psychopathological risk factors were assessed in 171 alcohol use disorder outpatients within a 1-year follow up. Impulsivity and alexithymia were evaluated using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, respectively. At endpoint, 39% of patients maintained abstinence, 30.9% relapsed at ≤1month from detoxification (early), 30.1% at >1month (subsequent). Baseline Barratt Impulsiveness Scale score was predictive of early versus subsequent relapse (odds ratio 1.12, p=0.005) and versus abstinence (odds ratio 1.17, p < 0.001). Toronto Alexithymia Scale score was a risk factor for subsequent versus early relapse (odds ratio 1.13, p=0.003) and versus abstinence (odds ratio 1.21, p < 0.001). Impulsivity predicted relapse within the first 4-weeks; alexithymia showed delayed effects. Time-varying effects of specific relapse factors emphasise the need for preliminary careful assessment and personalised interventions to promote long-term abstinence.

Detailed analysis of risk-taking in association with impulsivity and aggression in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder type I

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the associations of risk-taking, aggression, and impulsivity as well as risk adjustment in bipolar I patients (BD-I). 50 BD-I patients and age- and education-matched healthy controls (HC) were compared by using a modified Balloon Analogue Risk Task (m-BART) , Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11(BIS-11), and Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ). BD-I performed worse than HC in terms of risk-taking measures. However, the risk adjustment pattern in the BD-I group was similar to HC. BIS-11 scores were positively correlated with risk-taking after unsuccessful trials. The BPAQ scores were positively correlated with the number of exploded balloons and the maximum number of pumps while negatively correlated with reaction time. This study supported risk-taking as a robust feature of BD-I. These results may reflect that higher risk-taking may be due to impulsivity and also aggression may be associated with undesired outcomes of risk-taking. However, decision-making/adjustment abilities seem to be preserved.

Comparisons of impulsivity among patients with different subtypes of epilepsy

PurposeThis study assessed whether patients with epilepsy have a higher level of impulsivity than healthy controls, and compared impulsivity among patients with different subtypes of epilepsy. MethodsThe multicenter study included 108 subjects with epilepsy and 56 healthy volunteers. Subjects were evaluated by the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9, with BIS-11 scores analyzed as both dichotomized and continuous variables. High impulsivity was defined as a total BIS-11 score ≥ 67. ResultsOf the 108 subjects with epilepsy, 36 had idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE), 47 had temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), and 25 had frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE). A significantly higher percentage of subjects with epilepsy (22.2%) than controls (1.8%) had BIS-11 scores ≥ 67 (p = 0.001), although mean BIS-11 scores were similar in subjects with epilepsy (59.5 ± 10.0) and controls (58.8 ± 4.6). Higher percentages of subjects with IGE and FLE had BIS-11 scores ≥ 67 than subjects with TLE and controls. Mean total BIS-11 scores did not differ between controls and subjects with IGE and FLE, but were lower in subjects with TLE than in controls. Differences in impulsivity among controls and subjects with epilepsy subtypes varied depending on BIS-11 subscale. ConclusionsPatients with epilepsy, particularly IGE and FLE, were more likely to have high impulsivity scores, defined by a certain cutoff on the BIS-11, than controls and subjects with TLE. However, mean impulsivity scores did not differ among controls and subjects with IGE and FLE. Dichotomizing BIS-11 scores may be necessary to avoid false negative results in subjects with epilepsy.

Effects of resilience on impulsivity, cognition and depression during protracted withdrawal among Chinese male methamphetamine users

BackgroundMethamphetamine (METH) dependence is a complex and dynamic public health problem. Long-term abuse of METH can increase numerous risks of mental and physical problems. Currently, the methods to reduce METH dependence and improve the withdrawal symptoms are limited and ineffective. Resilience is seen as a multidimensional and dynamic capability to recover or bounce back from stressful events and is also generally considered as a protective factor against mental dysfunction.MethodsOne hundred thirty-four males with METH dependence were consecutively recruited from Huanglong Compulsory Isolated Detoxification Center between 2019 and 2021, of whom 112 were into the group. The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Self-rating depression scale (SDS), Self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11(BIS-11), and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (Rbans) were used to evaluate resilience, depression, anxiety, impulsivity, and cognition respectively.ResultsThe results mainly indicated that high resilience group showed lower SDS, SAS and BIS-11 scores than low resilience group (all p < 0.05). Besides, the total scores of Rbans were higher in high resilience groups than low resilience group (both p < 0.05). Moreover, linear regression results showed that resilience may be influenced by the scores of SDS and SAS.ConclusionsResilience is negatively correlated with impulsivity and depression. Besides, it is also positively associated with cognitive function. Drug users with higher resilience may have a strong ability to mobilize psychological resources to create a good psychological environment, which may have a positive effect on the relief or improvement of symptoms.

Impulsivity and linkage to HIV Care among People living with HIV in St. Petersburg, Russia.

This study evaluated the association between impulsivity and linkage to HIV care among Russians living with HIV recruited from an inpatient narcology hospital. Linking Infectious and Narcology Care (LINC) study participants who completed the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS) were included in these analyses. The primary independent variable was impulsivity score which was categorized as high impulsivity (BIS score > 71) vs. low impulsivity (BIS score < = 71). The primary outcome, linkage to care post recruitment, was defined as one or more HIV medical care visits at 12-month follow-up. Multiple logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between high impulsivity and linkage to HIV care controlling for potential confounders. Participants (N = 227) were adults with a mean age of 34 years (SD = 5), and the majority were male (74%). We did not detect a significant association between impulsivity and linkage to HIV care after adjusting for respondents' age, gender, CD4 cell count, and depression score. We also found that substance use and hazardous drinking did not appear to confound the relationship. Although our study was unable to detect an association between impulsivity and linkage to HIV care, it may provide direction for future research exploring the associations between impulsivity and HIV care.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor in war veterans with or without a history of suicide attempt

BackgroundBrain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a central role in brain development and plasticity and has been demonstrated to be altered in neuropsychiatric diseases and suicidal behavior. We examined whether there is a difference with regard to plasma BDNF levels between veterans who made or did not make a suicide attempt post-deployment. MethodsCombat veterans who made or did not make post-deployment suicide attempts were interviewed using Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, the Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS) and the Scale for Suicidal Ideation (SSI). Reaction to the most recent suicide attempt was evaluated using item 16 of the Suicide Intent Scale. Plasma BDNF levels were determined by the BDNF ELISA kit. ResultsControlling for age and body-mass index (BMI), BDNF levels were higher among suicide attempters than non-attempters. We observed a positive correlation between BDNF levels and SSI scores among non-attempters but not among attempters. BDNF levels positively correlated with BIS scores among suicide attempters but not among non-attempters. Suicide attempters who regretted that they made a suicide attempt had significantly higher BDNF levels in comparison to attempters who did not regret their attempts, controlling or not controlling for age and BMI. LimitationsA modest sample size is a shortcoming of our study. ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that BDNF may be involved in the pathophysiology of suicidal behavior in combat veterans. Given the relative ease of measuring plasma BDNF levels, it may be appropriate to consider adding such assessments to studies of suicidal behavior.

Validation of a short Italian version of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-15) in non-clinical subjects: psychometric properties and normative data

IntroductionThe Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS) is a questionnaire employed to measure impulsivity, which is associated with risky behaviors and mental disorders. We aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the BIS in the Italian general population and provide normative data for clinical use.Materials and methodsA cross-sectional survey methodology was employed to collect data. Then, 534 participants of different ages and educational levels completed the BIS, PHQ-9, GAD-7, and S-UPPS-P. We designed an ad hoc data-driven outcome checklist to identify which items deserved to be retained. Furthermore, internal consistency, convergent and divergent validity, and factorial structure were evaluated. A regression-based procedure was used to explore the influence of demographic variables on the BIS score and to provide adjusting factors and a sensitive cutoff.ResultsItem analysis suggested removing 15 items. Consequently, we tested the psychometric properties of a shorter version of the BIS (BIS-15). IRT test information functions indicated an almost identical measurement precision of the BIS-15 as compared to the original BIS. The BIS-15 demonstrated reliable internal consistency and good convergent and divergent validity. The PCA revealed a four-factor solution: “pure impulsivity,” “planning and thinking,” “lack of attention and concentration,” and “impulsive buying.” A significant effect of sex and years of education was found. Norms for the adjustment of raw scores were provided (cutoff = 37.39).ConclusionsThe BIS-15 showed almost identical psychometric properties as compared with the original scale, reducing the administration time. Our norms may allow identifying individuals with impulsivity of clinical interest.

Impulsivity in persons with epilepsy: Association with seizure severity and suicide risk

PurposeClinical research regarding impulsivity in patients with epilepsy is limited. The present study investigated the associations between impulsivity and seizure-related factors or suicidality in patients with epilepsy, independent of depression and anxiety. MethodsThe multicenter study included 146 subjects (63% men). We utilized the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and suicidality module of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Stepwise regression analyses and an analysis of covariance with interaction terms were performed. ResultsThe mean BIS-11 score was 59.3 (SD = 10.7). Psychiatric pathologies, including suicidality, were reported in relatively large proportions of patients, including PHQ-9 score ≥ 10 in 29 (19.9%) patients, GAD-7 score ≥ 7 in 35 (24.0%) patients, and MINI suicidality score ≥ 6 in 15 (10.3%) patients. Stepwise linear regression revealed that BIS-11 score was positively associated with the PHQ-9 scores (p < 0.001), antiseizure medication polytherapy (p < 0.001), use of lamotrigine (p = 0.009), and recurrence of generalized or focal to bilateral tonic clonic seizures (p = 0.010). The coefficient of determination for the model was 0.397. Generalized or focal to bilateral tonic clonic seizure recurrence tended to be positively associated with total BIS-11 scores in men but not in women. In subscale analyses, somewhat different variables were associated with different BIS-11subscales. A trend for a positive association between BIS-11 score and suicidality was found (p = 0.066). ConclusionsThis study identified a positive association between clinical seizure severity and impulsivity, and found that this association tended to be sex-specific, occurring only in males. Impulsivity could potentially be weakly associated with suicidality in patients with epilepsy.

Impulsiveness in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder after an 8-week intervention with the Mediterranean diet and/or omega-3 fatty acids: a randomised clinical trial

IntroductionThe Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS) is a self-administered instrument designed to assess the personality/behavioural construct of impulsiveness. Impulsiveness has been associated with several psychiatric disorders, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study assesses the progression of impulsive behaviour in children with ADHD after an 8-week dietary intervention with the Mediterranean diet and/or omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, by using a version of the 11-item BIS adapted for children (BIS-11c). MethodsThis cross-sectional study includes 60 children with ADHD from the region of Madrid, Spain. Participants were divided into 4 groups, with one control group and 3 intervention groups (Mediterranean diet; omega-3 supplementation; and Mediterranean diet plus omega-3 supplementation). A personalised Mediterranean diet was designed for members of groups 2 and 4. The BIS-11c was administered to determine the level of impulsiveness, and the KIDMED test was used to assess adherence to the Mediterranean diet. ResultsThe supplementation group showed a fairly significant decrease in the total BIS-11c (P = .049). Total cognitive score slightly decreased in the diet and supplementation groups. Only the control group showed a considerable decrease in the total motor score. Total nonplanning scores were lower in all groups after the intervention. Baseline and final BIS-11c scores were positively correlated with treatments (r > 0.9). ConclusionAn intake of 550 mg EPA fatty acid and 225 mg DHA fatty acid per day for 8 weeks is associated with less marked impulsive behaviour in children with ADHD. A Mediterranean diet may improve BIS scores, although our results are not conclusive in this population.

Impulsivity is related to overhasty risk learning in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A computational psychiatric approach

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often accompanied by excessive risky behavior, and an impulsive trait has been proposed to be associated with risk-taking. However, the aspect of the cognitive process that impulsivity influences is not well understood. We hypothesized that impulsivity could be related to an overhasty shifting of beliefs during risk learning, thereby resulting in enhanced risk-taking behavior. In this study, we tested our hypothesis using the Bayesian modeling approach and predicted overhasty learning by a data-driven approach. We used an openly available task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) dataset. Participants with adult ADHD (n = 42) completed the balloon analog risk task (BART). By fitting our computational model that encapsulates the degree of overhasty learning, we estimated the degree of learning bias and investigated its relationship with Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS) outcomes. Moreover, we created a connectome-based predictive model (CPM) based on fMRI data to predict the degree of risk-learning bias. The degree of overhasty learning in ADHD patients was significantly correlated with the BIS score (r = 0.424, p = 0.009). The CPM predicted the ‘learning bias’ parameter using negatively correlated edges (r = 0.341, p = 0.041; q2 = 0.092). The ‘hub nodes’ in the predictive network were in the frontal lobe, including the orbitofrontal area. Our findings suggest that impulsivity in ADHD patients is associated with overhasty updating of beliefs during risk learning. Weak functional connectivity to the both dorso-lateral prefrontal and orbitofrontal lobes is predictive of the degree of overhasty learning.

Relationship between impulsivity and suicide among the rural elderly in China: a case-control psychological autopsy study.

BackgroundThe relationship between impulsivity and suicide is inconsistent in different populations. Hence, the relationship between impulsivity and suicide still needs to be studied among the elderly population. The present study intends to explore the relationship between impulsivity and suicide among the rural Chinese elderly.MethodsA case-control psychological autopsy study was conducted from February 1, 2014 to December 18, 2015 among rural residents over the age of 60 who died by suicide. The sample consisted of 242 suicides as the case group and 242 living individuals as the control group. Data on demographic characteristics, impulsivity, previous history of suicide attempts, social support, negative life events, and suicidal behavior were collected.ResultsOur study found that impulsivity increased the risk of suicide. The case group showed a higher Barratt Impulsiveness Scale score compared with the control group (p < 0.001), which indicates that impulsivity was higher among the elderly suicides. In addition, regression analyses show that impulsivity (odds ratio: 1.03, 95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.06) is an independent risk factor of suicide, after controlling for the effects of marital status, education, family annual income, being left behind, social support, and negative life events. Finally, compared with elderly who do not have a history of attempted suicide, elderly with a history of attempted suicide showed higher impulsivity (p = 0.001).