Barrett Impulsiveness Scale Research Articles

The Effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy on Emotional Processing Defects and Impulsivity of Soldiers Aged 18 to 20 Years with High-risk Behaviors

Background: Faulty emotional strategies are one of the most crucial indicators of dangerous behavior. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) on emotional processing defects and impulsivity of soldiers aged 18 to 20 years with high-risk behaviors. Methods: The method of the present study was quasi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design. The statistical population of this study included all soldiers aged 18 to 20 years referred to Valiasr Medical Center in Tehran in 2020. The research sample included 30 soldiers with high-risk behaviors who were selected purposefully and randomly assigned to two groups (15 people in the experimental group and 15 people in the control group). To collect data, the high-risk behaviors Scale (IARS), Barrett's Impulsiveness scale, and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) was used. The experimental group underwent ten sessions of DBT, and the control group did not receive any treatment. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance and SPSS-23 software. The significance level of the tests was considered 0.05. Results: The results of this study showed that the intervention and control groups had statistically significant differences in terms of emotional processing (P < 0.01) and impulsivity (P < 0.05) after the intervention of dialectical behavior therapy. Conclusions: Based on the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that dialectical behavioral therapy can be used along with other treatments to reduce the problems of soldiers with high-risk behaviors.

Reliability and validity of the brief version of the difficulties in emotion regulation scale in a sample of Turkish adolescents

BackgroundDifficulty in regulating emotions increases during adolescence and can be associated with psychopathology. It is thus crucial to develop tools to identify adolescents at risk of having emotional difficulties. This study aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of a brief questionnaire in a sample of Turkish adolescents.MethodsA total of 256 participants (mean age = 15.51 ± 0.85) were recruited. They completed the original form of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-36), a brief version of DERS (DERS-16), the Barrett Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11), and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS). Psychometric properties of DERS-16 were investigated by confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach’s alpha, and Pearson correlational analysis.ResultsA five-factor model and second-order bifactor model of DERS-16 were confirmed. Cronbach’s alpha values for the subscales varied between 0.69 and 0.88, while the reliability of the factors Difficulties in Emotional Processing and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation were 0.75 and 0.90, respectively. DERS-16 subscales were positively correlated with the BIS-11 and TAS. In addition, there were only minimal differences between the DERS-16 and DERS-36.ConclusionThe DERS-16 is a valid and reliable scale for Turkish adolescents. The fact that it has fewer items than DERS-36, but has similar reliability and validity and can be used as two factors, provides significant advantages in terms of applicability.

SELF-REGULATION, PERSONALITY IMPULSIVENESS AND IMPULSIVE BUYING IN YOUNG ADULTS

The purpose of this study was to find out the relationship between impulsive buying, self-regulation and personality impulsiveness of young adults. An association was hypothesized between personality impulsiveness, impulsive buying and self-regulation in young adults. Moreover, it was also proposed that self-regulation and personality impulsiveness would likely to predict impulsive buying. A sample comprised of 300 individuals of 18-20 years age range (M=23, SD= 2.8) was selected from shopping malls of Lahore. For measuring personality impulsiveness Barrett Impulsiveness Scale, to assess self-regulation of the participants Short Self-Regulation Questionnaire and to measure impulsive buying of the respondents Impulsive Buying Tendency Scale was administered. These measurement tools were used in this study after taking permission from relevant authors. Results were deducted by using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and Multiple Hierarchical Regression analysis. The results of the study showed that personality impulsiveness is significant positively correlated with impulsive buying. A significant negative relationship was found between self-regulation and personality impulsiveness. Moreover, by using Regression analysis, personality impulsiveness and self-regulation were revealed the predictors of impulsive buying in young adults. The findings of this study are important to know the patterns of impulsive buying that could further be used at impeding level for adults in order to help them out to deal with their impulsivity. Keywords: Impulsivity, Self-Regulation, Impulsive Buying, Personality, Young Adults

Trait Anxiety Mediates Impulsivity and Suicidal Ideation in Depression During COVID-19 Pandemic.

Suicidality in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) has been an urgent affair during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is well-established that impulsivity and trait anxiety are two risk factors for suicidal ideation. However, literature is still insufficient on the relationships among impulsivity, (state/trait) anxiety and suicidal ideation in individuals with MDD. The present study aims to explore the relationships of these three variables in MDD patients during the COVID-19 pandemic through three scales, including Barrett Impulsivity Scale (BIS), State-Trait Anxiety Scale (STAI) and Self-rating Idea of Suicide Scale (SIOSS). Sixty-three MDD patients (low SIOSS group and high SIOSS group, which were split by the mean score of SIOSS) and twenty-seven well-matched healthy controls were analyzed. Our results showed that the high SIOSS group had higher trait anxiety (p < 0.001, 95% CI = [−19.29, −5.02]) but there was no difference in state anxiety (p = 0.171, 95% CI = [−10.60, 1.25]), compared with the low SIOSS group. And the correlation between impulsivity and suicidal ideation was significant in MDD patients (r = 0.389, p = 0.002), yet it was not significant in healthy controls (r = 0.285, p = 0.167). Further, mediation analysis showed that trait anxiety significantly mediate impulsivity and suicidal ideation in patients with depression (total effect: β = 0.304, p = 0.002, 95% CI = [0.120, 0.489]; direct effect: β = 0.154, p = 0.076, 95% CI = [−0.169, 0.325]), indicating impulsivity influenced suicidal ideation through trait anxiety in MDD patients. In conclusion, our results suggested that trait anxiety might mediate the association of impulsivity and suicidal ideation in MDD patients. Clinicians may use symptoms of trait anxiety and impulsivity for screening when actively evaluating suicidal ideation in MDD patients, especially in the setting of COVID-19 pandemic.

Association of youth impulsivity and use of e-cigarette devices, flavors, and frequency of use

IntroductionGiven high youth e-cigarette use, it is important to investigate how traits, like impulsivity, may be associated with youth e-cigarette use behaviors. The study aim is to determine if impulsivity is associated with trying more e-cigarette flavors and device types, and greater frequency of e-cigarette use. MethodCross sectional survey data from CT high schoolers (n = 4875, 6 schools) were collected in 2019. Lifetime (ever) e-cigarette users (n = 2313) completed the Brief Barrett Impulsivity Scale, which contains two subscales; behavioral impulsivity and impaired self-control. Among lifetime users, associations between impulsivity subscales and number of e-cigarette flavors tried, e-cigarette devices tried, and past 30-day frequency of e-cigarette use were examined using regression models. Additionally, associations of impulsivity and use frequency were examined among only current e-cigarette users (≥1 day of use in past 30; n = 1327). School, age, race/ethnicity, vaping initiation age, other tobacco product use, and sex were included as covariates in models. ResultsHigher behavioral impulsivity was associated with greater number of e-cigarette flavors tried (AOR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.11, p <.008) and higher frequency of past 30-day use both among ever and current e-cigarette users (AOR: 1.26, 95%CI:1.10,1.44, p <.001; AOR: 1.12, 95%CI:1.02,1.22, p <.02), but not number of e-cigarette devices tried. Impaired self-control was not associated with any outcomes. ConclusionYouth with higher behavioral impulsivity may be more at risk for using more e-cigarette flavors and using e-cigarettes more frequently. Regulations aimed at reducing flavor availability among youth and interventions targeting impulsive behavior may be important for this population.

Decision-making and impulsivity in patients with alcohol dependence syndrome with comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

ABSTRACT Objective The purpose of the study was to examine decision-making and impulsivity in patients with alcohol dependence with or without comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared to controls. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 28 patients with alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS) only, 30 with ADS with ADHD, and 28 healthy controls were recruited. All the participants were evaluated on Iowa Gambling Task, Balloon Analogue Risk Task, and Barrett Impulsivity Scale to assess decision-making, risk-taking, and impulsivity respectively. Results Repeated measure ANOVA indicated that both ADS only and ADS with ADHD groups had poorer decision-making as compared to healthy controls, with small effect sizes. One-way ANOVA showed a significant difference in the maladaptive risk-taking across ADS only, ADS with ADHD and healthy control groups. Similarly, there were significant differences in attention impulsivity and motor impulsivity between the groups. No relationship was found between decision-making and impulsivity. Conclusions Alcohol dependent patients had impaired decision-making and impulsivity irrespective of comorbid ADHD. Thus, risk-taking and decision-making may be cognitive markers of alcohol dependence syndrome itself.

Relationship of alcohol use pattern with locus of control and impulsivity: A cross-sectional study in hospitalized alcohol use disorder patients in Western India.

Background:Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are increasing in developing countries like India and it has high relapse rates. Locus of control (LOC) and impulsivity can be important predictors of relapse and knowledge about them can help in management of AUD.Method:Cross-sectional analytical study of 116 indoor patients in tertiary care hospital, between ages 18 and 65 years diagnosed as AUD according to DSM-5, after acute detoxification was done. For interview, a sociodemographic sheet, Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, Drinking-Related Locus of Control Scale, and Barrett’s Impulsiveness Scale 11 scale (Gujarati versions) were used. Patients with complicated withdrawal and any other comorbid organic brain conditions were excluded. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.Result:Total participants consisted of 65% middle-aged (35–50 years) rural inhabitants. Eighty-six-percent of patients were employed and around 80% were educated >5th standard. No association was found between sociodemographic variables and severity of alcohol use. Severity of alcohol use increased with more duration of alcohol consumption (P = 0.001). Patients being earlier aged for first intake of alcohol had a high external LOC (r = 0.209, P = 0.050). Patients with high external LOC (P = 0.003) and more impulsivity (P = 0.001) had more relapses (more numbers of attempts to quit alcohol). With increased external LOC (r = 0.315) and increased impulsivity (r = 0.716), severity of alcohol use also increased. As impulsivity increased, patients’ LOC was found more toward external side (P = 0.007) (r = 0.345).Conclusion:External LOC and impulsivity have a strong association with alcohol use. Patients with high external LOC and more impulsivity had early age of first intake, severe alcohol use, and more duration of alcohol consumption.

English

BACKGROUND Alcohol use disorder is one of the dangerous public health burden. The construct of impulsivity and its various dimensions in relation with aggression are relevant for understanding alcohol dependence and relapse. The goal of the study is to describe the role of impulsivity and aggression in the context of alcohol dependence. The purpose and implications of this study was to understand the human factors contributing to aggression and impulsivity and in providing advanced treatment programs. METHODS This cross-sectional study was discussed in detail and approved by the ethical committee of the Madras Medical College. The cases were selected consecutively from all the patients attending the outpatients as well as inpatient for the same after fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria, within seven days of last intake of alcohol. The diagnosis was made according to International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) criteria after ruling out psychotic disorder and other comorbid medical illnesses. Informed consent was obtained from all the patients and caregivers. Descriptive statistics used meticulously to measure the magnitude. RESULTS This study found significant positive correlation (P &lt; 0.001) between impulsivity, aggression subtypes with alcohol dependence. Various subsets in Barrett impulsivity scale (BIS) and subsets of Buss Perry aggression scales (BPAS) had positive correlations. We found that as severity of dependence increases, impulsivity and aggression scores increases and vice versa. The comparison of means of illness variables within groups showed that there was no significant difference between groups in terms of age of onset of illness, last alcohol intake, number of hospital admissions, duration of abstinence and frequency of relapse. CONCLUSIONS This study describes the important role of behavioural model and disease model of alcoholism, 1,2 greatly stresses the inability to control the quantity and frequency of the drinking behaviour. There is higher level of connectivity between alcohol dependence with biological and behavioural indicators of impulsivity and aggression. 3 It supports that relapse is an acquired behaviour in which the individual is able to control his substance taking pattern through adequate cognitive behavioural techniques in addition to pharmacological treatment and also suggest more research needed in future to focus on causality and intervention. KEY WORDS Impulsivity, Aggression, Alcohol dependence, Relapse

Assessing Clinical Change in Individuals Exposed to Repetitive Head Impacts: The Repetitive Head Impact Composite Index.

Background: There is a current lack of any composite measure for the effective tracking and monitoring of clinical change in individuals exposed to repetitive head impacts (RHI). The aim of this study is to create a composite instrument for the purposes of detecting change over time in cognitive and behavioral function in individuals exposed to RHI.Methods: The data to derive the composite instrument came from the Professional Fighters Brain Health Study (PFBHS), a longitudinal study of active and retired professional fighters [boxers and mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters] and healthy controls. Participants in the PFBHS underwent assessment on an annual basis that included computerized cognitive testing and behavioral questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression models were employed to compare active fighters (n = 117) with controls (n = 22), and retired fighters (n = 26) with controls to identify the predictors that could be used to differentiate the groups over time. In a second step, linear discriminant analysis was performed to derive the linear discriminant coefficients for the three groups by using the predictors from the two separate logistic regression models.Results: The composite scale is a weighted linear value of 12 standardized scores consisting of both current and yearly change scores in domains including: processing speed, choice reaction time, semantic fluency, letter fluency, and Barrett Impulsiveness Scale. Because the weighting of values differed between active and retired fighters, two versions emerged. The mean and standard deviation ratio (MSDR) showed that the new index had better sensitivity compared to the individual measures, with the ratio of MSDR of the new index to that of the existing measures of at least 1.84.Conclusion: With the increasing need for tools to follow individuals exposed to RHI and the potential of clinical trials on the horizon for CTE, the RHICI is poised to serve as an initial approach to a composite clinical measure.

Elevated thalamic glutamate levels and reduced water diffusivity in alcohol use disorder: Association with impulsivity

Alcohol induces neuroinflammation but its role in cognitive impairment and impulsivity in alcohol use disorder (AUD) has been poorly investigated. We used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure brain glutamate (Glu) levels and diffusion-weighted imaging to measure functional anisotropy (FA) in the thalamus and ventral anterior cingulate cortex (vACC) in 15 recently detoxified patients with AUD and 14 matched controls. Compared to controls, AUD patients showed higher Glu levels (p = 0.04) and lower FA in the thalamus (p = 0.04) but not in the vACC. In AUD, thalamic Glu levels (r = 0.62, p = 0.019) and FA (r=-0.55, p = 0.034) were associated with severity of drinking (drinks/week). Compared to controls, AUD patients showed higher scores on Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scale for impulsivity (p = 0.03), which correlated with glutamate levels in the thalamus (r = 0.58, p = 0.03) and vACC (r = 0.55, p = 0.036). In a second cohort of AUD patients (n = 32), Glu in dorsal ACC (dACC) also correlated with Barrett Impulsiveness Scale total score (r = 0.43, p = 0.014). We interpret the elevated thalamic Glu levels and the parallel reduction in FA in AUD—which correlated with drinking severity—as possible evidence of neurotoxicity from neuroinflammation. The association of Glu with impulsivity suggests that neurotoxic effects of chronic alcohol exposure in the thalamus and dACC may contribute to impulsivity.

Trait Impulsivity Is Independent of Mild Cognitive Impairment in a Parkinson's Disease Cohort.

Introduction Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) commonly experience cognitive deficits and some also develop impulse control disorders (ICDs); however, the relationship between impulsivity and cognitive dysfunction remains unclear. This study investigated whether trait impulsivity associates with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or is altered in a PD patient cohort with MCI. Methods A total of 302 patients with idiopathic PD were recruited sequentially from three Australian Movement Disorder clinics. Based on cognitive scores, participants were divided into two groups, one defined as having mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI; n = 113) and the other with normal cognitive function (PD-C; n = 189). Trait impulsivity was evaluated using the Barrett Impulsiveness Scale 11 (BIS-11). Total impulsivity scores, as well as subscale scores, were compared between PD-C and PD-MCI groups. Results The PD-MCI cohort had significantly lower scores in all cognitive domains, and mirrored expected clinical differences in medication, motor symptoms, and disease duration, when compared to the PD-C cohort. Self-reported impulsivity was not significantly different between groups, nor was there a difference within first-order subscale scores: attention (p=0.137), cognitive instability (p=0.787), self-control (p=0.503), cognitive complexity (p=0.157), motor impulsivity (p=0.559), or perseverance (p=0.734) between the PD-MCI and PD-C groups. Conclusions These findings suggest that impulsive traits and behaviors are independent of changes in cognitive state and are not altered in PD patients with mild cognitive impairment.

Association of Cavum Septum Pellucidum and Cavum Vergae With Cognition, Mood, and Brain Volumes in Professional Fighters

Many studies have investigated the imaging findings showing sequelae of repetitive head trauma, with mixed results. To determine whether fighters (boxers and mixed martial arts fighters) with cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) and cavum vergae (CV) have reduced volumes in various brain structures or worse clinical outcomes on cognitive and mood testing. This cohort study assessed participants from the Professional Fighters Brain Health Study. Data were collected from April 14, 2011, to January 17, 2018, and were analyzed from September 1, 2018, to May 23, 2019. This study involved a referred sample of 476 active and retired professional fighters. Eligible participants were at least 18 years of age and had at least a fourth-grade reading level. Healthy age-matched controls with no history of trauma were also enrolled. Presence of CSP, CV, and their total (additive) length (CSPV length). Information regarding depression, impulsivity, and sleepiness among study participants was obtained using the Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale, Barrett Impulsiveness Scale, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Cognition was assessed using raw scores from CNS Vital Signs. Volumes of various brain structures were measured via magnetic resonance imaging. A total of 476 fighters (440 men, 36 women; mean [SD] age, 30.0 [8.2] years [range, 18-72 years]) and 63 control participants (57 men, 6 women; mean [SD] age, 30.8 [9.6] years [range, 18-58 years]) were enrolled in the study. Compared with fighters without CV, fighters with CV had significantly lower mean psychomotor speed (estimated difference, -11.3; 95% CI, -17.4 to -5.2; P = .004) and lower mean volumes in the supratentorium (estimated difference, -31 191 mm3; 95% CI, -61 903 to -479 mm3; P = .05) and other structures. Longer CSPV length was associated with lower processing speed (slope, -0.39; 95% CI, -0.49 to -0.28; P < .001), psychomotor speed (slope, -0.43; 95% CI, -0.53 to -0.32; P < .001), and lower brain volumes in the supratentorium (slope, -1072 mm3 for every 1-mm increase in CSPV length; 95% CI, -1655 to -489 mm3; P < .001) and other structures. This study suggests that the presence of CSP and CV is associated with lower regional brain volumes and cognitive performance in a cohort exposed to repetitive head trauma.

Impulsiveness as a predictor of topiramate response for cocaine use disorder.

Topiramate has been studied in the treatment of substance use disorders and is often used off-label in the treatment of other disorders with impaired impulse control. We sought to determine whether impulsiveness could predict topiramate treatment response in individuals with cocaine use disorder (CUD). In a post-hoc analysis of a 12-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of topiramate for CUD, we examined the relationship between response to treatment and participants' baseline score on the Barrett Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11). During the original trial, topiramate was titrated up to 300 mg/day over 6 weeks and maintained for 6 weeks. All participants received weekly cognitive behavioral therapy. Individuals with total BIS-11 scores above the median had 11.2% more cocaine-free days with topiramate versus placebo (Bonferroni corrected p = 0.047). Individuals with first-order factor scores above the median in self-control (Bonferroni corrected p = 0.020) and at or below the median in attention (Bonferroni corrected p = 0.022), and second-order factor scores at or below the median in attentional (Bonferroni corrected p = 0.024) and motor impulsiveness (Bonferroni corrected p = 0.046) were all associated with a greater improvement with topiramate. The results indicate an association between higher within-group impulsiveness and response to topiramate for CUD. The subscore findings may suggest a complex interaction between effectiveness and known cognitive side effects. The finding that trait impulsiveness is associated with treatment response is a promising discovery that may help guide treatment for CUD. This analysis suggests a possible endophenotype based on impulsiveness that can predict treatment response to topiramate. (Am J Addict 2019;XX:1-6).

SU114 - EARLY SEXUAL ASSAULTIVE TRAUMA, POLYGENIC RISK FOR AUD/CUD, AND NEURAL RESPONSE INHIBITION IN ADOLESCENCE AND YOUNG ADULTS: TRAJECTORIES OF FRONTAL OSCILLATIONS DURING A GO/NOGO TASK

Background Trauma, particularly when experienced early in life, may alter brain and concurrent cognitive, affective and behavioral development, thereby increasing risk for substance use disorders and related psychopathology. While research indicates that genetic factors may exacerbate these vulnerabilities, few studies have empirically examined these effects using relatively large longitudinal and genetically informative developmental samples with dense phenotyping in multiple domains. Methods The association of early assaultive, non-assaultive, and sexual-assaultive experiences prior to age 10 with developmental trajectories of neurophysiological functioning during response inhibition (frontal theta and posterior delta activity during an equal probability Go/NoGo task) were examined, using data from the Collaborative Study of the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) prospective cohort, comprising offspring from high-risk and comparison families who were aged 12–22 at enrollment and who have been sought for interview every 2 years (only those with 3+ interviews were included in the present analyses, N: 3,030). Interactions with early trauma exposures and polygenic risk for Alcohol and Cannabis Use Disorders (AUD, CUD) based on recently published GWAS data, were examined. Additionally, associations of neurophysiological functioning with AUD, CUD, Externalizing (EXT) and Internalizing (INT) psychopathology measured at each individual's last assessment were examined. Models were adjusted for age, gender, self-reported race/ethnicity, parental alcohol use disorders, and participants' own alcohol and cannabis use. Results Individuals exposed to sexual assaultive trauma prior to age 10 had altered developmental trajectories of NoGo frontal theta; the typical developmental change in frontal theta activity observed throughout adolescence and young adulthood occurred at a slower rate among those who had been exposed to early sexual assault, but not other types of trauma, compared to those who were not exposed (controlling for other types of assaultive and non-assaultive trauma exposure). Importantly, effects remained significant after accounting for parental history of AUD and participants’ own alcohol and cannabis use. Associations were more robust for participants with greater polygenic risk for AUD, but not CUD. Further, changes in NoGo frontal theta development was associated with increased risk for AUD and INT (mood disorders and suicidal ideation), but not CUD or EXT (conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder). Post-hoc analyses showed that early sexual assault was associated with higher rates of impulsivity (Barrett Impulsivity Scale) and sensation seeking (Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale). Discussion Findings support the hypothesis that childhood sexual assault may influence young adult AUD and INT via alterations in genetic, brain and behavioral development in adolescence and young adulthood. However, future studies are needed to disentangle complex interactions among genetic and psycho-social influences on neurobiological development.

Effects of intermittent theta burst stimulation applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on empathy and impulsivity in healthy adult males

Impulsivity and empathy are clinically relevant multi-dimensional concepts. Existing evidence suggests the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (LDLPFC) plays a crucial role in impulsivity and empathy. However, the neuromodulation effect of excitatory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation at the LDLPFC is insufficiently explored in the current literature. To address this important gap in the literature, we aimed to examine the effects of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) at the LDLPFC on impulsivity and empathy. A single-blind sham-controlled randomised crossover trial involving twenty-three healthy male adults was conducted. The iTBS protocol delivered 1800 pulses to the LDLPFC at 80% of the motor threshold in each condition. Trait impulsivity and empathy were measured at baseline using the Barrett Impulsiveness Scale and UPPS-P Impulsiveness Scale. The Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, Information Sampling Task, and Adjusting Amount Task serving as behavioural measures of empathy, cognitive and temporal impulsivity respectively were administered before and after iTBS sessions. No significant changes were found on any of the measures after iTBS at the LDLPFC compared to the sham stimulation. Neuromodulation at the LDLPFC using iTBS may not alter cognitive empathy and temporal and cognitive impulsivity. Further research is required using amended protocols in a large-scaled sample.

Excitatory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation applied to the right inferior frontal gyrus has no effect on motor or cognitive impulsivity in healthy adults

BackgroundImpulsivity is a multi-faceted concept. It is a crucial feature of many neuropsychiatric disorders. Three subtypes of impulsivity have been identified: motor, temporal, and cognitive impulsivity. Existing evidence suggests that the right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG) plays a crucial role in impulsivity, and such a role has been elucidated using inhibitory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). There is a dearth of studies using excitatory rTMS at the rIFG, an important gap in the literature this study aimed to address. MethodsTwenty healthy male adults completed a single-blind sham-controlled randomised crossover study aimed at assessing the efficacy of rTMS in the neuromodulation of impulsivity. This involved delivering 10-Hz excitatory rTMS to the rIFG at the intensity of 100% motor threshold with 900 pulses per session. Trait impulsivity was measured at baseline using the Barrett Impulsiveness Scale and UPPS-P Impulsiveness Scale. The Stop Signal Task (SST) and Information Sampling Task (IST), administered before and after rTMS sessions, were used as behavioural measures of impulsivity. ResultsNo significant changes on any measures from either SST or IST after active rTMS at the rIFG compared to the sham-controlled condition were found. ConclusionsExcitatory rTMS applied to the rIFG did not have a statistically significant effect on response inhibition and reflective/cognitive impulsivity. Further research is required before drawing firm conclusions. This may involve a larger sample of highly impulsive individuals, a different stimulation site or a different TMS modality such as theta burst stimulation.

Psychosocial stress increases craving for alcohol in social drinkers: Effects of risk-taking

BackgroundExposure to stress and trait impulsivity are independent predictors of relapse in recovering alcoholics, but potential mechanisms that link these two risk-factors in terms of their putative additive or interactive contributions to relapse are not known. The aim of this study was to use a model of stress-induced relapse to test the hypothesis that acute psychosocial stress increases craving for alcohol in social drinkers. We also tested the hypothesis that change in craving could be explained by variability in impulsivity and risk-taking. MethodsParticipants completed questionnaires to assess drinking behaviour (Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire [ADQ]; and an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test [AUDIT]), craving (Desires for Alcohol Questionnaire [DAQ] and impulsivity (Barrett Impulsiveness Scale [BIS]). Participants also completed two computer tasks to assess risk-taking and impulsivity, the Balloon Analogue Risk Test (BART) and a continuous performance task (CPT). Participants then underwent the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), and completed a final DAQ to assess post-stress craving. ResultsParticipants showed an increase in craving following exposure to the TSST. In addition, risk-taking was positively correlated with change in craving. ConclusionsOur data suggests that acute psychosocial stress increases subjective craving in social drinkers, but that the effects may be trait-dependent, with stress-induced increases in craving correlated with risk-taking.

Intolerance of uncertainty in opioid dependency - Relationship with trait anxiety and impulsivity.

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is the tendency to interpret ambiguous situations as threatening and having negative consequences, resulting in feelings of distress and anxiety. IU has been linked to a number of anxiety disorders, and anxiety felt in the face of uncertainty may result in maladaptive behaviors such as impulsive decision making. Although there is strong evidence that anxiety and impulsivity are risk factors for addiction, there is a paucity of research examining the role of IU in this disorder. The rate of opioid addiction, in particular, has been rising steadily in recent years, which necessitates deeper understanding of risk factors in order to develop effective prevention and treatment methods. The current study tested for the first time whether opioid-dependent adults are less tolerant of uncertainty compared to a healthy comparison group. Opioid dependent patients undergoing methadone maintenance therapy (n = 114) and healthy comparisons (n = 69) completed the following scales: Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, the Barrett Impulsivity Scale, and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory. Analysis revealed that these measures were positively correlated with each other and that opioid-dependent patients had significantly higher IU scores. Regression analysis revealed that anxiety mediated the relationship between IU and impulsivity. Hierarchical moderation regression found an interaction between addiction status and impulsivity on IU scores in that the relationship between these variables was only observed in the patient group. Findings suggest that IU is a feature of addiction but does not necessarily play a unique role. Further research is needed to explore the complex relationship between traits and how they may contribute to the development and maintenance of addiction.

Father absence and gendered traits in sons and daughters.

Research has previously found a number of apparently contradictory patterns in the relationship between ‘father absence’ (having a non-resident father during childhood) and the expression of gender roles, as well as other sexually dimorphic traits such as aggression. In the current study we measured a battery of sexually differentiated traits in relation to family background. 133 men and 558 women from the United States and Australia completed the Bem Sex Role Inventory, the Barrett Impulsivity Scale, the Fear Survey Schedule and the Buss & Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Principal components analysis found two main axes of variation in these traits. Firstly, a general ‘reactivity’ factor, on which aggression, impulsivity, and fear all loaded positively, was weakly associated with father absence in women. Secondly, ‘masculinity’ (consisting of high scores on masculine traits, low fear, and physical and verbal aggression) was not associated with father absence. Participants (except American males) reporting a poor childhood relationship with their parents also had high ‘reactivity’ but not higher ‘masculinity’. We found some evidence of a link between father absence and earlier age of first coitus in American females (although not in Australia), but there was no link with age of menarche in either country. Overall, the current results suggest that previous findings linking gender development with father absence in girls may have arisen from a tendency towards greater externalising and reactive behaviour rather than a change in gender development per se.

Abnormal serotonin transporter availability in the brains of adults with conduct disorder.

The aims of the current study were to determine whether patients with conduct disorder (CD) showed an abnormal availability of serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT), and if their hyperkinetic symptoms, impulsivity, and quality of life were correlated with the availability of SERT. We recruited 14 drug-naïve patients with CD and eight age-matched healthy controls (HCs). The adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) self-report scale (ASRS), Barrett impulsivity scale (BIS), and the World Health Organization quality of life-brief version (WHOQOL-BREF) scale were administered. Positron emission tomography (PET) of the brain with 4-[18F]-ADAM was arranged for SERT imaging. SERT availability was significantly reduced in the striatum and midbrain of patients with CD. Quality of life and inattention symptoms were also significantly correlated with the availability of SERT in the prefrontal cortex. The study suggested that a reduction in the availability of SERT might be associated with CD and could potentially predict poor quality of life or symptoms of inattention for these patients. The implications of our results might be limited to individuals with CD; a future study with a larger sample to validate our preliminary results is warranted.