Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Version Research Articles

Description and Validation of a Dynamical Systems Model of Presynaptic Serotonin Function: Genetic Variation, Brain Activation and Impulsivity

Despite more than a decade of empirical work on the role of genetic polymorphisms in the serotonin system on behavior, the details across levels of analysis are not well understood. We describe a mathematical model of the genetic control of presynaptic serotonergic function that is based on control theory, implemented using systems of differential equations, and focused on better characterizing pathways from genes to behavior. We present the results of model validation tests that include the comparison of simulation outcomes with empirical data on genetic effects on brain response to affective stimuli and on impulsivity. Patterns of simulated neural firing were consistent with recent findings of additive effects of serotonin transporter and tryptophan hydroxylase-2 polymorphisms on brain activation. In addition, simulated levels of cerebral spinal fluid 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (CSF 5-HIAA) were negatively correlated with Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (Version 11) Total scores in college students (r = -.22, p = .002, N = 187), which is consistent with the well-established negative correlation between CSF 5-HIAA and impulsivity. The results of the validation tests suggest that the model captures important aspects of the genetic control of presynaptic serotonergic function and behavior via brain activation. The proposed model can be: (1) extended to include other system components, neurotransmitter systems, behaviors and environmental influences; (2) used to generate testable hypotheses.

P02-142 - Association between affective temperamets and impulsivity in the group of healthy volunteers and remitted bipolar outpatients

ObjectivesAffective temperaments (measured by the TEMPS-A) have been proved to be associated with major mood disorders, implying that these temperament types represent the subclinical manifestations of affective disorders and an increased vulnerability to pathological mood regulation. However, less attention was paid to the association of affective temperaments with trait impulsivity, which is commonly associated with clinical picture of bipolar mood disorder. The aim of our study was to assess the associations between affective temperaments and impulsivity among healthy volunteers and remitted bipolar outpatients.Methods1096 students, 31 euthymic bipolar outpatients and 31 healthy controls were self assessed with Barratt Impulsivity Scale and Slovenian version of TEMPS-A questionnaire.ResultsOur data revealed positive correlation between impulsivity and cyclothymic and irritable temperament and negative correlation between impulsive behaviour and hyperthymic temperament. Depressive and anxious temperament proved to be positively linked with attentional and negatively with motor and nonplanning impulsivity. Furthermore, mean scores on depressive, cyclothymic, irritable and anxious temperament subscales as well as on attentional and motor impulsiveness and general impulsive score were significantly higher in the group of bipolar outpatients.ConclusionsOur results are in agreement with several studies where authors emphasized that elevated depressive, cyclothymic, irritable and anxious temperamental scores as well as impulsive behaviour could indicate a vulnerability to pathological mood regulation during the remission phase of bipolar disorder. The results also brought to light some important connections between temperamental traits and impulsivity, indicating that both domains could be relevant in early diagnostic picture for affective disorders.

The Interaction Effect of Impulsivity and Responsibility in Relation to Obsessive–Compulsive Symptoms

The objectives of the present study were to investigate the relationship between obsessive–compulsive symptoms and impulsivity, and the interaction effects of impulsivity and responsibility in relation to obsessive–compulsive symptoms. A total of 205 university and college students were asked to fill out the Padua Inventory—Washington State University Revision, the Responsibility Attitudes Scale, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale—version 11 and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. A sub-sample (n = 79) also completed the Stop Signal Task (SST), a performance task that assesses behavioral inhibition (i.e., impulsivity). Obsessive–compulsive symptoms were found to be related to responsibility attitudes and self-reported attentional impulsiveness. There was no association between behavior inhibition (SST) and self-reported impulsivity or obsessive–compulsive symptoms. The interaction between responsibility attitudes and attentional impulsiveness as well as between responsibility and behavior inhibition, added to the prediction of obsessive–compulsive symptoms. These findings indicate that certain aspects of impulsivity influence obsessive–compulsive symptoms in interaction with responsibility attitudes.

Ventral striatal activation during reward anticipation correlates with impulsivity in alcoholics

Background Alcohol dependence is often associated with impulsivity, which may be correlated with dysfunction of the brain reward system. We explored whether functional brain activation during anticipation of incentive stimuli is associated with impulsiveness in detoxified alcoholics and healthy control subjects. Methods Nineteen detoxified male alcoholics and 19 age-matched healthy men participated in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study using a monetary incentive delay (MID) task, in which visual cues predicted that a rapid response to a subsequent target stimulus would either result in monetary gain, avoidance of monetary loss, or no consequence. Impulsivity was assessed with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-Version 10 (BIS-10). Results Detoxified alcoholics showed reduced activation of the ventral striatum during anticipation of monetary gain relative to healthy control subjects. Low activation of the ventral striatum and anterior cingulate during gain anticipation was correlated with high impulsivity only in alcoholics, not in control subjects. Conclusions This study suggests that reduced ventral striatal recruitment during anticipation of conventional rewards in alcoholics may be related to their increased impulsivity and indicate possibilities for enhanced treatment approaches in alcohol dependence.

Ventral Striatal Activation During Reward Anticipation Correlates with Impulsivity in Alcoholics

Alcohol dependence is often associated with impulsivity, which may be correlated with dysfunction of the brain reward system. We explored whether functional brain activation during anticipation of incentive stimuli is associated with impulsiveness in detoxified alcoholics and healthy control subjects. Nineteen detoxified male alcoholics and 19 age-matched healthy men participated in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study using a monetary incentive delay (MID) task, in which visual cues predicted that a rapid response to a subsequent target stimulus would either result in monetary gain, avoidance of monetary loss, or no consequence. Impulsivity was assessed with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-Version 10 (BIS-10). Detoxified alcoholics showed reduced activation of the ventral striatum during anticipation of monetary gain relative to healthy control subjects. Low activation of the ventral striatum and anterior cingulate during gain anticipation was correlated with high impulsivity only in alcoholics, not in control subjects. This study suggests that reduced ventral striatal recruitment during anticipation of conventional rewards in alcoholics may be related to their increased impulsivity and indicate possibilities for enhanced treatment approaches in alcohol dependence.

The possible influence of impulsivity and dietary restraint on associations between serotonin genes and binge eating

Although serotonin (5-HT) genes are thought to be involved in the etiology of bulimia nervosa and binge eating, findings from molecular genetic studies are inconclusive. This may be due to limitations of past research, such as a failure to consider the influence of quantitative traits and gene–environment interactions. The current study investigated these issues by examining whether quantitative traits (i.e., impulsivity) and environmental exposure factors (i.e., dietary restraint) moderate 5-HT gene/binge eating associations in a sample of young women (N=344). Binge eating was assessed using the Minnesota Eating Behavior Survey and the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ). Impulsivity was assessed with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-Version 11. Dietary restraint was measured with a factor score derived from common restraint scales. Saliva samples were genotyped for the 5-HT2a receptor T102C polymorphism and 5-HT transporter promoter polymorphism. As expected, impulsivity and dietary restraint were associated with binge eating. Although the T allele of the 5-HT2a receptor gene and the s allele of the 5-HTT gene were associated with higher levels of impulsivity, there were no main effects of 5-HT genotypes on any binge eating measure, and interactions between genotypes, impulsivity, and dietary restraint were non-significant. In conclusion, we found no evidence to suggest that dietary restraint or impulsivity moderate associations between binge eating and these 5-HT genes. Future research should continue to explore interaction effects by examining larger samples, assessing dietary intake directly, and investigating other genes, traits, and environmental factors that may be related to binge eating and bulimia nervosa.

Psychometrische Evaluation der deutschsprachigen Version der Barratt-Impulsiveness-Skala

Impulsive behavior is an important characteristic in a range of psychiatric disorders. A unanimous definition of impulsivity is still under discussion, but a questionnaire to measure it has been available for quite some time, i.e. the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Version 11 (BIS11). However, it lacks adequate psychometric characterization for German speakers. Control persons were recruited from the Munich city population. Patients with alcohol dependence, suicide attempts, and borderline personality disorders treated as inpatients at the Munich University Psychiatric Clinic were recruited. Confirmatory analysis of the originally suggested factor structure did not adequately represent the data in our sample. The BIS11 sum score, which showed adequate internal consistencies in all subgroups, significantly differentiated the extent of impulsivity between patients and control persons. Use of the BIS11 sum score in German-speaking regions can be recommended. This sum score shows adequate internal consistency and well differentiated the extent of impulsivity between different groups of patients with psychiatric diagnoses and control persons.

Does gender moderate associations among impulsivity and health-risk behaviors?

The present study explores the relations among gender, impulsivity and three health-risk behaviors relevant to young adults (tobacco use, alcohol problems and gambling problems) in a sample of 197 college-age individuals. We sought to determine whether impulsivity is associated with health-risk behaviors in the same ways for men and women. For tobacco use and gambling problems, men were at higher risk than women, and impulsivity was not significantly associated with higher risk. Higher levels of motor impulsivity in men accounted for a significant amount of the gender difference in risk for alcohol problems. That is, impulsivity as measured by the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (version 11), mediated the association between gender and risk for alcohol problems. For impulsivity as measured by Stop Signal Reaction Time (i.e. response inhibition), gender moderated the association between impulsivity and alcohol problems. Specifically, lower levels of impulsivity were associated with greater risk for alcohol problems in both men and women, but the effect was stronger in men. We speculate that this seemingly paradoxical result might be the result of coping drinking to deal with negative affect associated with behavioral overcontrol. These findings suggest that prevention efforts might well focus on identifying individuals at high risk for alcohol problems, especially males, by assessing response inhibition.

Impulsive behavior in adults with attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder: Characterization of attentional, motor and cognitive impulsiveness

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity. Impulsivity persists in adults with ADHD and might be the basis of much of the impairment observed in the daily lives of such individuals. The objective of this study was to address the presence, and more importantly, the three dimensions of impulsivity: attentional, non-planning and motor, in how they may relate to neuropsychological mechanisms of impulse control. We studied a sample of 50 adults with ADHD and 51 healthy comparison controls using the Barratt Impulsivity Scale Version 11 (BIS), and neuropsychological tasks, namely the Continuous Performance Task (CPT-II) and the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). The ADHD group showed more signs of impulsivity on the three dimensions of BIS, committed more errors of omission and commission on the CPT-II, and made more disadvantageous choices on the IGT. These results support the existence of deficits related to three components of impulsivity: motor, cognitive, and attentional among adults with ADHD. Most importantly, this study also highlights the complementary nature of self-report questionnaires and neuropsychological tasks in the assessment of impulsivity in ADHD adults.

Quetiapine improves depressive and anxiety symptom but not impulsivity in cluster b personality disorder: An open label prospective trial

Objective:Atypical antipsychotics are a new treatment option for patients with impaired impulse regulation as seen in Cluster B personality disorders. Preliminary data are available on the use of atypical antipsychotics especially in the treatment of impulsivity in borderline personality disorder. The aim of the present study is to investigate efficacy regarding impaired impulse regulation, different psychopathological symptoms and tolerability of quetiapine in a group of patients with Cluster B personality disorder.Methods:Fifteen consecutive patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of borderline, histrionic, or narcissistic personality disorder were treated for 8 weeks with open-label quetiapine at the dose of 400 mg/day. Patients were assessed at baseline, week 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and week 8. The clinical efficacy and side effects were assessed using the following scales: Hamilton Scales for Depression (HAM-D) and Anxiety (HAMD-A), Beck-Depression Inventory (BDI), Barratt Impulsivity Scale version 10 (BIS-10), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), and the Dosage Record and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (DOTES).Results:Twelve patients completed the study. Three patients (20%) dropped out due to noncompliance. A significant improvement was found for the scores of the following scales: BPRS (anxiety/depression subscale), HAM-D, and BDI. No significant result was found for impaired impulse regulation. Common adverse effects, possibly due to study medication, were mild-to-moderate somnolence, mouth dryness, agitation, nausea, and dizziness.Conclusion:An 8 week open label treatment with 400mg quetiapine daily seems to improve depressive and anxiety, but not impulsivity symptoms in cluster-B personality disorders.

Adaptation and construct validation of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS 11) to Brazilian Portuguese for use in adolescents

Impulsivity is associated with different psychiatric disorders. The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale version 11 is one of the scales mostly used to measure impulsivity and it does not have a validated version for Brazilian Portuguese. The objective of this study is to adapt and conduct the construct validation of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale version 11 for adolescents. The scale was translated and adapted into Portuguese and then back-translated into English. The psychometric proprieties, factor analysis and construct validity were evaluated in two samples: 18 bilingual undergraduate medical students and 464 male adolescents between 15 and 20 years old from a well-delimited geographical area in the city of Canoas, southern Brazil. The adolescent sample had a mean age of 17.3 +/- 1.7 years. Intra-class correlation coefficient achieved a value of 0.90, and internal consistency had a of 0.62. Factor analysis did not identify the 3 factors of the original scale. Impulsivity scores from the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale version 11 had a correlation with scores for attention deficit/hyperactive disorder and oppositional defiant disorder and with number of symptoms of conduct disorder, suggesting an appropriate construct validity of the scale. Even considering some limitations in the Portuguese version, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale version 11 can be used in male adolescents and should be tested in other populations.

Prefrontal cortex dysfunction in patients with suicidal behavior

Abnormal serotonergic neurotransmission has long been demonstrated in suicidal behavior. The dorsal and median raphe nuclei housing the main serotonergic cell bodies and the prefrontal cortex (PFC), particularly the ventral part innervated by the serotonergic system, have therefore been studied extensively in suicidal behavior research. However, only a few studies have described neuropsychological function impairment in suicidal patients. We investigated PFC-related neuropsychological function in patients with suicidal behavior, separating dorsolateral PFC (DLPFC)- and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC)-related functions. We compared 30 euthymic patients with suicidal behavior aged 18-65 years with 39 control subjects, for the following neuropsychological domains: global intellectual functioning, reward sensitivity, initiation, inhibition, and working memory. Patients and controls were compared by means of univariate and multivariate analyses, adjusting for age at interview, level of education and mood state at the time of evaluation. Trait impulsivity, measured with the Barratt Impulsivity Scale version 10 (BIS-10), was also included as a covariate in a subset of analyses. Multivariate comparisons demonstrated significant executive function deficits in patients with suicidal behavior. In particular, we observed impairment in visuospatial conceptualization (p<0.0001), spatial working memory (p=0.001), inhibition (Hayling B-A, p=0.04; go anticipations, p=0.01) and visual attention (or reading fluency) (p=0.002). Similar results were obtained following adjustment for motor impulsivity as a covariate, except for spatial working memory. These deficits are consistent with prefrontal dysfunction in patients with suicidal behavior. Differentiation between DLPFC- and OFC-related neuropsychological functions showed no specific dysfunction of the orbitofrontal region in patients with suicidal behavior in our sample.

Efficacy and Tolerability of Quetiapine in the Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder

Second-generation antipsychotics with a favorable tolerability profile have offered new treatment options for patients with borderline personality disorder. Sparse data are available on the use of quetia-pine in treating this disorder. The aim of the present study is to investigate efficacy and tolerability of quetia-pine in a group of patients with borderline personality disorder. Fourteen consecutive outpatients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of borderline personality disorder were treated for 12 weeks with open-label quetiapine at the dose of 200-400 mg/day. Patients were assessed at baseline, week 4, and week 12 with the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) severity item, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A), the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS), the Borderline Personality Disorder Severity Index (BPDSI), and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-version 11 (BIS-11). Adverse effects were evaluated using the Dosage Record and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale. Statistical analysis was performed with the ANOVA for repeated measures. Significant p values were < or = .05. Eleven patients completed the study. Three patients (21.4%) dropped out due to excessive somnolence or noncompliance. The mean +/- SD dose of quetia-pine was 309.09 +/- 83.12 mg/day. A significant change was found for the scores of the following scales: CGI severity item, BPRS, HAM-A, SOFAS, BPDSI total score, BPDSI items "impulsivity" and "outbursts of anger," and BIS-11. Common adverse effects were mild-to-moderate somnolence, dry mouth, and dizziness. Initial data suggest that quetiapine is efficacious and well tolerated in treating patients who have borderline personality disorder, particularly when impulsiveness/aggressiveness-related symptoms are prominent. At the moment, no reliable comparison is available in the literature. Double-blind controlled trials are needed to verify these findings.

P300 Event-Related Potential Amplitude and Impulsivity in Cocaine-Dependent Subjects

Previous studies report reduced amplitude of the P300 event-related potential in cocaine-dependent individuals. Cocaine dependence is also associated with increased impulsivity, possibly due to deficits in cognitive function that are associated with reduced P300 amplitude. In the current study, the relationship between cocaine dependence, impulsivity, and P300 amplitude were examined. An auditory oddball event-related potential task along with self-report (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale version 11) and behavioral laboratory (Immediate and Delayed Memory Task) measures of impulsivity were assessed in healthy controls (n = 14) and subjects who met DSM-IV criteria for current cocaine dependence (n = 17). P300 amplitude was reduced and self-reported and behavioral laboratory impulsivity scores were elevated among the cocaine-dependent group compared to controls. There was a positive correlation between the questionnaire and behavioral laboratory measures of impulsivity, and a negative correlation between impulsivity measures and P300 amplitude. The correlation between self-reported impulsivity scores and P300 amplitude remained after taking into account the number of childhood conduct disorder symptoms. This study supports the hypothesis that the basic neurophysiology responsible for the P300 amplitude in cocaine-dependent individuals is associated with impulsivity independent of a history of childhood conduct disorder symptoms.

Pathological gambling, gender, and risk-taking behaviors

Seventy-eight female and 78 male pathological gamblers admitted to an outpatient treatment program were compared regarding a profile of risk-taking behaviors (suicide attempts, illegal activities meant to finance gambling, sexual risky behavior, and alcohol abuse). The Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN), the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale version 11 (BIS-11), and an adaptation of the HIV Risk Behavior Scale were used. Females attempted more suicide than males. Men had more sexual risky behavior and alcohol abuse than women. Younger age and depression were risk factors for suicide attempts, younger age and impulsivity were risk factors for illegal activities. Younger age was a risk factor for sexual risky behavior, and no risk factor other than male gender was found for alcohol abuse. Future investigation of risk behaviors among gamblers must take into account the differences in gender and age. Both impulsivity and emotional distress are related to risk-taking in gamblers, and young gamblers who early in life display other potentially harmful behaviors require special attention.

Relationship between craving and personality in treatment-seeking women with substance-related disorders.

BackgroundIndividual differences may impact susceptibility to addiction. The impact of personality features on drug craving, however, has not been studied, particularly in women.MethodsNinety-five treatment-seeking women with substance dependence, abstinent for at least 5 and no more than 21 days, were investigated regarding the correlation between personality factors and craving. Personality was assessed using the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), the NEO Personality Inventory Revised (NEO-PI-R), and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale version 11 (BIS-11). Cravings were assessed through the Pennsylvania Craving Scale (PCS), and the Craving Questionnaire (CQ). Anxiety and depressive symptomatology were also recorded.ResultsCraving scores were positively correlated with depression and negatively correlated with number of days abstinent from substance use. Also, craving scores were positively associated with the novelty-seeking factor from the TCI and the total score on the BIS-11, and negatively associated with the conscientiousness and agreeableness facets of the NEO-PI-R.ConclusionFindings suggest that personality features, particularly impulsiveness, can be important predictors of craving in women, which has important implications for treatment planning.

Serotonin transporter gene regulatory region polymorphism (5-HTTLPR), [ 3H]paroxetine binding in healthy control subjects and alcohol-dependent patients and their relationships to impulsivity

The aim of this study was to investigate [ 3H]paroxetine binding and impulsivity in alcohol-dependent and age-matched control subjects in relation to a 5′-promoter region serotonin transporter (5-HTT) polymorphism (5-HTTLPR). Alcohol-dependent subjects were hypothesized to show a decreased number of bindings sites and a lower dissociation constant. 5-HTTLPR S-genotype carriers in both alcohol-dependent and control subjects were expected to show significantly fewer binding sites and a lower dissociation constant. Influences of impulsive traits, chronic daily alcohol intake, duration of alcohol dependence, age of onset and age on [ 3H]paroxetine binding were also investigated. Inpatients meeting DSM IV alcohol dependence criteria and of German descent were recruited to avoid ethnic stratification effects. One hundred and seventeen control subjects of similar social status were recruited from a town community. Blood samples were taken from both alcohol-dependent and control subjects to determine 5-HTTLPR genotypes using PCR of lymphocyte DNA, and to perform platelet [ 3H]paroxetine binding (binding capacity: B max; and dissociation constant: K D ). Impulsivity was assessed using the Barratt impulsiveness scale version 5 (BIS-5) in alcohol-dependent subjects only. Alcohol-dependent subjects were subdivided into low or high impulsivity groups using a median-split of the BIS-5 scale. The control group was slightly older than the alcohol-dependent group (not statistically significant). [ 3H]paroxetine binding was investigated in 72 control subjects and 72 patients, of which five patients met type 2 alcohol dependence criteria. Genotyping was carried out in all patients and control subjects. A significant influence of duration of alcohol dependence was found on the [ 3H]paroxetine binding K D but not B max. Neither alcohol-dependent nor control subjects showed any differences in B max or K D . S-allele carriers did not show a decreased binding or lower dissociation constant. Furthermore, no significant interaction between B max and K D with either 5-HTTLPR genotype or impulsivity was revealed. This was the first study to investigate platelet [ 3H]paroxetine binding in alcohol-dependent and age-matched control subjects in relation to the 5-HTTLPR genotype. No differences concerning 5-HTTLPR-alleles were found in these groups Furthermore, no significant interaction between these parameters and impulsivity was shown in alcohol-dependent subjects. These results do not support previous results of altered [ 3H]paroxetine binding sites in alcohol-dependent subjects or 5-HTTLPR S-allele carriers. K D might be influenced by duration of alcohol dependence, but not sufficiently to yield differences between alcohol-dependent and control subjects.

Factor structure of the Barratt impulsiveness scale.

The purpose of the present study was to revise the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Version 10 (BIS-10), identify the factor structure of the items among normals, and compare their scores on the revised form (BIS-11) with psychiatric inpatients and prison inmates. The scale was administered to 412 college undergraduates, 248 psychiatric inpatients, and 73 male prison inmates. Exploratory principal components analysis of the items identified six primary factors and three second-order factors. The three second-order factors were labeled Attentional Impulsiveness, Motor Impulsiveness, and Nonplanning Impulsiveness. Two of the three second-order factors identified in the BIS-11 were consistent with those proposed by Barratt (1985), but no cognitive impulsiveness component was identified per se. The results of the present study suggest that the total score of the BIS-11 is an internally consistent measure of impulsiveness and has potential clinical utility for measuring impulsiveness among selected patient and inmate populations.