BIS-11 Total Scores Research Articles

A sense of urgency: Trait impulsivity in co-occurring bipolar and alcohol use disorder.

Bipolar disorder (BD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) often co-occur, with BD + AUD characterized by higher levels of impulsivity relative to either disorder alone. Emotional facets of impulsivity (e.g., "urgency," measured by the UPPS-P), however, remain underexplored in this population and could have distinct associations with clinical correlates. This cross-sectional study used a two-by-two (BDxAD) factorial design, including groups with BD + AD (n = 28), BD (n = 29), AD (n = 28), and healthy controls (HC) (n = 27), to identify between-group differences among the five subscales of the UPPS-P. Associations of UPPS-P subscales with Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS) total scores and clinical variables of interest were also examined. BD + AD had the highest scores for every UPPS-P subscale but Sensation Seeking, with the Positive and Negative Urgency subscales having the largest main effects for both BD and AD. BIS-11 total scores were most correlated with the urgency subscales of the UPPS-P. Negative Urgency was found to be uniquely relevant to clinical measures in the BD + AD group. Rapid cycling was associated with both urgency subscales and BIS-11 scores, and the Alcohol Dependence Scale was most correlated with the Premeditation subscale. Cross sectional design and predominantly white sample. Unlike the BIS-11, UPPS-P is able to distinguish emotional from nonemotional facets of impulsivity, something especially relevant to people with co-occurring BD + AD, where fluid emotionality is a key part of symptom presentation. For this reason, the UPPS-P should be utilized in future studies and clinical settings measuring trait impulsivity in this population.

An Evaluation of Difficulty in Emotion Regulation, Impulsivity, and Emotional Eating in Children and Adolescents Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

The aim of this study was to investigate difficulties in emotion regulation, emotional eating, and impulsivity in children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The study included 53 children who were diagnosed with T1DM, and a control group of 50 subjects. The Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-age Children-Present and Lifetime Version, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale- Short Form (DERS-16), Emotional Eating Scale-Child and Adolescent Form (EES-C), and the Barratt Impulsivity Scale 11-Short Form (BIS-11) were administered to the participants. In the T1DM group, the disease duration was a mean of 52.7 ± 40.62 months, and only 17% had good metabolic control. The rate of psychiatric disorder determined was significantly higher in the T1DM group (P = .001). No significant difference was determined between the 2 groups in respect of the DERS-16, EES-C, and BIS-11 total and subscale scores. However, in multivariate linear regression, the increase in BIS-11 total score was affected by increasing DERS impulse (β = 0.475), decreasing age (β = -0.209), and presence of T1DM (β = 0.211). An increase in the DERS-16 total score was associated with the presence of psychiatric disorder (β = -0.258) and an increase in BIS-11-A (the second scale assesses concentration problems) (β = 0.317) score. In the T1DM group, the glycated hemoglobin level was lower in the group with insulin treatment with the injection method (8.2 ± 2.1%) than in those with the pump method (9.1 ± 1.5%) (P = .069). It is important that mental health professionals take an active role in all processes of the disease in order to protect the mental health of children with T1DM. Cite this article as: Yıldız Miniksar D, Öz B, Kılıç M, et al. An evaluation of difficulty in emotion regulation, impulsivity, and emotional eating in children and adolescents diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Turk Arch Pediatr. 2024;59(1):78-86.

Impulsivity Traits in Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

In Parkinson's disease (PD), impulsivity as a personality trait may be linked to the risk of developing impulse control disorders (ICDs) during dopaminergic therapy. However, studies evaluating differences in trait impulsivity between patients with PD and healthy controls or between patients with PD with and without ICDs reported partly inconsistent findings. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) of studies comparing Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) scores between patients with PD and healthy controls and between patients with PD with and without ICDs. Eligible studies were identified through a systematic search in 3 databases. Mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for BIS-11 total and subscale scores were separately calculated for studies comparing patients with PD and healthy controls and patients with PD with and without ICDs. Meta-regressions were performed to explore sources of heterogeneity (percentage of men, age, disease duration, and levodopa equivalent daily dose). A total of 40 studies were included in the quantitative analyses. BIS-11 total scores were significantly higher in patients with PD compared with healthy controls (mean difference 2.43; 95% CI, 1.03, 3.83), and in patients with PD with active ICDs compared with patients without ICDs (6.62; 95% CI, 5.01, 8.23). No significant moderators emerged by meta-regression analyses. The present meta-analysis supports that impulsivity, as a personality trait, may characterize patients with PD, even in the absence of ICDs. Moreover, these data corroborate findings of clinical studies reporting higher levels of trait impulsivity in PD patients with ICDs compared with patients without ICDs.

Sex Differences in Bipolar Disorders: Impact on Psychopathological Features and Treatment Response.

IntroductionSex differences were demonstrated in bipolar disorders (BD) concerning epidemiological, clinical, and psychopathological characteristics, but consensus is lacking. Moreover, data concerning the influence of sex on treatment response in BD is contrasting. The present cross-sectional study aimed to analyze sex differences in a population of BD subjects, with specific focus on psychopathological features and treatment response.Materials and MethodsSubjects diagnosed with BD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th version (DSM-5) were recruited. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were collected. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Mania Rating Scale (MRS), the brief version of the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa and San Diego—Münster version (briefTEMPS-M), and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale−11 items (BIS-11) were used for psychopathological assessment. Treatment response was appraised with the Alda Scale. We performed bivariate analyses to compare socio-demographic, clinical, and psychopathological characteristics between men and women (p < 0.05). A logistic regression was run to analyze features that were significantly associated with female sex.ResultsAmong the recruited 219 BD subjects, 119 (54.3%) were females. Women had a lower scholarity (p = 0.015) and were less frequently employed (p = 0.001). As for psychopathological features, a higher MRS total score (p < 0.001) was detected among women, as well as higher BIS-11 total score (p = 0.040), and briefTEMPS-M score for anxious temperament (p = 0.006). Men showed higher prevalence of DSM-5 mixed features (p = 0.025), particularly during a depressive episode (p = 0.014). Women reported longer duration of untreated illness (DUI) (p < 0.001). There were no sex differences in the Alda Scale total score when considering the whole sample, but this was significantly higher among men (p = 0.030) when evaluating subjects treated with anticonvulsants. At the logistic regression, female sex was positively associated with longer DUI (p < 0.001; OR 1.106, 95% CI 1.050–1.165) and higher MRS total score (p < 0.001; OR 1.085, 95% CI 1.044–1.128) and negatively associated with employment (p = 0.003; OR 0.359, 95% CI 0.185–0.698) and DSM-5 mixed features (p = 0.006; OR 0.391, 95% CI 0.200–0.762).ConclusionsThe clinical presentation of BD may differ depending on sex. The severity of BD should not be neglected among women, who may also display worse treatment response to anticonvulsants.

Levels of impulsivity in individuals with cannabis use disorder.

Introduction Substance use disorder consists of the presence of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms, indicating continuous use of one or more substances by the individual. The literature points to the existence of a relationship between impulsive behavior, in which individuals tend to act thoughtlessly and with a lower level of planning, and consumption of substances including cannabis.Objectives To examine the presence and severity of impulsivity in individuals with cannabis use disorder and investigate associations between sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and impulsivity.Method Participants completed a sociodemographic data sheet and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11). A total of 122 subjects with a diagnosis of cannabis use disorder participated, with a mean age of 34.46 years (standard deviation = 9.62).Results The prevalence of high levels of impulsivity in the sample ranged from 30 to 33%; the BIS-11 total score was significantly associated with cohabitation and alcohol use. The BIS-11 scores for motor impulsivity and attentional impulsivity were also associated with consumption of alcohol. No associations were found between impulsivity and the variables age, education, use of tobacco, or use of cocaine/crack.Conclusion This study contributes to understanding of substance dependence, especially cannabis. It found presence of impulsive behavior among individuals with cannabis use disorder, which is corroborated by reports in the literature.

Discrete Roles for Impulsivity and Compulsivity in Gambling Disorder.

Background and Objective: Complex associations between gambling disorder (GD) and impulsivity have been identified. However, little is known regarding how compulsivity associates with different impulsivity domains in GD. In this study, we examined associations between self-reported and behavioral measures of impulsivity–assessed through the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) and the Experiential Discounting Task (EDT), respectively- and compulsivity-measured using the Padua Inventory and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), respectively-, in an adult sample with GD (N = 132, 94 men and 38 women, ages ranging from 18 to 69 years). GD severity was assessed using the South Oaks Gambling Screen.Methods: Structural Equation Modeling was used to examine relationships between impulsivity and compulsivity measures, age, and GD severity.Results: BIS-11 non-planning and BIS-11 total scores positively correlated with GD severity. The standardized coefficients for the SEM showed direct positive contributions of BIS-11 non-planning, Padua and EDT scores to GD severity. Only participants' ages directly contributed to WCST perseverative errors, and no direct or indirect effects were found with respect to GD severity.Conclusion: The findings suggest that specific aspects of impulsivity and compulsivity contribute to GD severity. Interventions specifically targeting domains that are most relevant to GD severity may improve treatment outcomes.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 associating with serotonin and dopamine in the cerebrospinal fluid predicts impulsivity in healthy subjects

BackgroundImpulsivity is more commonly reported in subjects with mental disorders compared to healthy subjects, suggesting a potential application of impulsivity in predicting impulsivity-related mental disorders. However, no biomarker of impulsivity available so far. This study explored the association between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), a key hormonal mediator of the stress response, and impulsivity in healthy subjects.MethodsA total of 126 healthy persons subjected to surgery of anterior cruciate ligament were recruited in the present study. The impulsiveness of the subjects was evaluated by the Chinese version of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS)-11 before surgery. CSF and blood samples of the subjects were collected before spinal anesthesia for surgery. The levels of FGF21, serotonin and dopamine in CSF and the level of FGF21 in blood of the subjects were measured by ELISA using commercial kits.ResultsNegative correlations were found between BIS-11 total score and either FGF21, serotonin or dopamine in CSF. However, BIS-11 total score was not correlated with FGF21 in blood. In addition, FGF21 was positively correlated with serotonin and dopamine in CSF, respectively. Multivariable linear regression models indicated that the decrease of FGF21 level associating with the decrease of serotonin and dopamine level in CSF contributed to the higher impulsivity. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis indicated an important role of CSF FGF21 predicting high impulsivity.ConclusionsFGF21, serotonin and dopamine in CSF associate with impulsivity in opposite directions. The decrease of CSF FGF21 is related to higher impulsivity, and indicate that CSF FGF21 may predict impulsivity in healthy subjects.

Dimensions of impulsivity related to psychopathic traits and homicidal behavior among incarcerated male youth offenders

Despite impulsivity being included as scoring criteria within several measures of youth psychopathic traits, the relationship between psychopathic traits and dimensions of impulsivity among high-risk youth is not well-understood. Here we assessed psychopathic traits via total, factor, and facet scores from the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV) and impulsivity through total, three-factor, and six-factor model scores from the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) in incarcerated male youth offenders. Correlational analyses indicated PCL:YV total, Factor 2, Facet 3, and Facet 4 scores were significantly positively correlated with BIS-11 total scores. Additionally, psychopathy scores were significantly positively correlated with specific scores from the three-factor model of the BIS-11 (e.g. Motor and Non-Planning Impulsivity scores) and the six-factor model of the BIS-11 (e.g., Attention, Self-Control, and Cognitive Complexity Impulsivity scores). Secondary analyses suggest that participants who had previously committed homicide scored higher on lifestyle/antisocial psychopathic traits and specific dimensions of impulsivity (e.g., BIS-11 Non-Planning and Self-Control Impulsivity factor scores) compared to youth who had not previously committed homicide. Our results improve our understanding of the specific forms of impulsivity significantly correlated with youth psychopathic traits and how specific factors underlying both constructs potentially characterize youth associated with severe forms of antisocial behavior.

Problem gambling during Covid-19

Background: Problem gambling could progressively grow in a period of isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic to the possibility of gambling directly from home. Objectives: This pilot study highlights if the problem gambling, during a period of isolation such as that of COVID-19, can be explained by personality or sociodemographic characteristics, therefore it investigates the emotional and impulsive characteristics of problem gamblers and examines whether those who are adults, those who have more years of study or who work are less likely to have problem gambling. Methods: A total of 200 subjects completed an online survey to examine the associations between problem gambling, alexithymia, and impulsiveness. The standardized tools used were the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11). Results: Problem gambling was positively correlated with male gender, TAS-20 total score, difficulty describing feelings, externally-oriented thinking, attentional, and nonplanning impulsiveness. Furthermore, there was a significant inverse correlation between higher SOGS scores and fewer years of study. Multivariate analysis showed that age, gender, years of study, BIS-11 total score, attentional impulsiveness, and nonplanning impulsiveness were predictors of gambling. Conclusions: The results of this exploratory research suggest that in a period characterized by a pandemic, problem gambling is associated with some personality and sociodemographic characteristics. Moreover, age, male gender, low levels of study and impulsive characteristics play a decisive role in problem gambling.

How Impulsivity influences the Post-purchase Consumer Regret?

Abstract Background The role of impulsivity in post-purchase consumer regret is unclear and intriguing because of the negative emotions that underlie both constructs. It is particularly important to examine the impact of impulsivity on the relationship between regret and the Emotionality dimension of the HEXACO model of personality. Objectives The purpose of this paper was to investigate the associations between consumer regret components: outcome regret and process regret, attention, motor and non-planning dimensions of impulsivity and Fearfulness, Anxiety, Dependence and Sentimentality domains of Emotionality. Methods/Approach The sample consisted of undergraduates from Zagreb, Croatia (M age = 25.93, 56% females). The correlation and the regression analysis were performed. We used the Baratt impulsivity scale (BIS-11), the HEXACO-PI-R Emotionality scale and the Post Purchase Regret Scale (PPRS). Results The PPCR total score was associated with the BIS-11 total score, attention and non-planning impulsivity. Regret due to foregone alternatives was related to attention and non-planning impulsivity, while regret due to a change in significance was related only to attention impulsivity. Regret due to under-consideration positively correlated with non-planning impulsivity. Conclusions The results indicate that relations between impulsivity and consumer regret have an important role in understanding consumer behavior and that impulsivity has a moderate association between consumer regret and Emotionality.

Interpersonal Psychotherapy as a Single Treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder: A Pilot Randomized-Controlled Study.

Recent guidelines share the recommendations that psychotherapy plays a central role in the treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD). In recent years, interpersonal psychotherapy adapted for treating BPD (IPT-BPD) was added to specific psychotherapies and was tested in combination with pharmacotherapy. The present study is aimed to assess the efficacy of IPT-BPD revised (IPT-BPD-R) as single treatment in a sample of BPD patients. Results obtained in a group of patients receiving IPT-BPD-R were compared with those observed in a control group in waiting list plus clinical management (WL/CM). Forty-three BPD subjects were randomly allocated to one of the two arms. Patients were assessed at baseline and after 10 months with the following assessment instruments: Clinical Global Impression Scale, Severity item (CGI-S), Social Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS), Borderline Personality Disorder Severity Index (BPDSI), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, version 11 (BIS-11), Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS), and Self Harm Inventory (SHI). Statistical analysis was performed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) or chi-square test to compare baseline characteristics of the two treatment groups. Comparison of score changes at the end of the trial between the two groups was calculated for each rating scale with the analysis of variance for repeated measures. Seven patients (16.3%) discontinued the treatment in the first month of the trial for non-adherence. We found a significant effect within subjects (trial duration) for all rating scales, except for the MOAS. A significant effect between subjects (treatment modality) was found for CGI-S; SOFAS; BIS-11 total score and subscale “non-planning impulsivity”; BPDSI total score and items “interpersonal relationships,” “impulsivity,” and “identity.” So, results showed differences between groups in favor of psychotherapy in terms of reduction of severity of general psychopathology, improvement of social and occupational functioning, and decrease of global BPD symptoms and three specific domains. On the other hand, we did not find any differences between groups for self-harm behaviors and aggressive behaviors.

Self-reported rates of impulsivity in Parkinson's Disease.

ObjectiveImpulsive decision‐making is characterized by actions taken without considering consequences. Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) who receive dopaminergic treatment, especially dopamine agonists, are at risk of developing impulsive–compulsive behaviors (ICBs). We assessed impulse‐related changes across a large heterogeneous PD population using the Barratt impulsivity scale (BIS‐11) by evaluating BIS‐11 first‐ and second‐order factors.MethodsWe assessed a total of 204 subjects: 93 healthy controls (HCs), and 68 ICB– and 43 ICB + PD patients who completed the BIS‐11. Using a general linear model and a least absolute shrinkage and selection operation regression, we compared BIS‐11 scores between the HC, ICB– PD, and ICB + PD groups.ResultsPatients with PD rated themselves as more impulsive than HCs in the BIS‐11 total score, second‐order attention domain, and first‐order attention and self‐control domains. ICB + patients recorded higher total scores as well as higher scores in the second‐order non‐planning domain and in self‐control and cognitive complexity than ICB– patients.InterpretationThese results indicate that the patients with PD show particular problems with attentional control, whereas ICB + patients show a distinct problem in cognitive control and complexity. Additionally, it appears that all patients with PD are more impulsive than their age‐ and sex‐matched healthy peers. Increased impulsivity may be a result of the disease course, or attributed to dopaminergic medication use, but these results emphasize the importance of the cognitive components of impulsivity in patients with PD.

Abnormal white matter within brain structural networks is associated with high-impulse behaviour in codeine-containing cough syrup dependent users.

Codeine-containing cough syrup (CCS) is considered as one of the most popular drug of dependence among adolescents because of its inexpensiveness and easy availability. However, its relationship with neurobiological effects remains sparsely explored. Herein, we examined how high-impulse behaviours relate to changes in the brain structural networks. Forty codeine-containing cough syrup dependent (CCSD) users and age-, gender-, and number of cigarettes smoked per day -matched forty healthy control (HC) subjects underwent structural brain imaging via MRI. High-impulse behaviour was assessed using the 30-item self-rated Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), and structural networks were constructed using diffusion tensor imaging and AAL-90 template. Between-group topological metrics were compared using nonparametric permutations. Benjamin-Hochberg false discovery rate correction was used to correct for multiple comparisons (P < 0.05). The relationships between abnormal network metrics and clinical characteristics of CCS dependent (BIS-11 total score, CCS- dependent duration and mean dose) were examined by Spearman's correlation. Structural networks of the CCSD group demonstrated lower small-world properties than those of the HC group. Abnormal changes in nodal properties among CCSD users were located mainly in the frontal gyrus, inferior parietal lobe and olfactory cortex. NBS analysis further indicated disrupted structural connections between the frontal gyrus and multiple brain regions. There were significant correlations between abnormal nodal properties of the frontal gyrus and clinical characteristics (BIS-11 total score, CCS dependent duration and mean dose) in the CCSD group. These findings suggest that the high-impulse behavioural expression in CCS addiction is associated with widespread brain regions, particularly within those in the frontal cortex. Aberrant brain regions and disrupted connectivity of structural network may be the bases of neuropathology for underlying symptoms of high-impulse behaviours in CCSD users, which may provide a novel sight to better treat and prevent codeine dependency in adolescents.

Impulsivity, Unplanned Pregnancies, and Contraception Among Women with Bipolar Disorder.

BackgroundImpulsivity is one of the principal symptoms of bipolar and related disorders (BD). Unsafe sex and unplanned pregnancies are serious problems in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to investigate impulsivity levels, contraception methods, and levels of planned pregnancies among women with bipolar and related disorders (WBD).MethodsFifty-eight euthymic women with BD (bipolar disorder type I, II, or other) were matched by education levels with a control group of 59 healthy women. Data about their demographic, clinical—Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and Young Mania Rating Scale scores—and reproductive health features were obtained and compared between the groups.ResultsNo difference was found regarding BIS-11 (total, nonplanning, motor, and attentional subscales) scores between the WBD and control groups. The overall rate of contraception use was higher in WBD (96.6%), but they generally preferred “traditional” methods (i.e., withdrawal and calendar). The total rate of unplanned pregnancies in WBD was 49.52%. Rate of unplanned pregnancies in WBD was significantly different from women without bipolar disorder (49.52% vs 15.04%).DiscussionLevels of impulsivity in euthymic WBD under treatment were similar to those of healthy women in the control sample. WBD paid attention to contraception although they usually used traditional methods. The findings indicate that most WBD use contraception, yet the contraception is potentially ineffective especially if WBD have more unplanned pregnancies. The provision of an effective contraception method in WBD is suggested for all clinicians, in order to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies, and thus protect the health of both mother and fetus.

Attention Allocation to Financial Information: The Role of Color and Impulsivity Personality Trait.

BackgroundIn order to raise the level of investor’s protection, the European Commission has recently introduced the key investor information document (KIID), a standard, plainly worded, and consumer-friendly document which should provide individuals with essential information for their investment decisions. KIID layout has been delineated relying on results from focus groups, surveys and telephone interviews, ignoring the reliable, and unbiased insights offered by neuroscientific approaches.AimThe current study aims to elucidate the patterns of eye movements in the early phases of information acquisition during the reading of financial disclosure documents, disentangling the independent role of color and impulsivity at modulating attention distribution toward the different sources of financial information.Materials and MethodsOculomotor behavior was monitored in eighty-one healthy adults through the eye tracking technology (SMI REDn Scientific 60 Hz). An ecological protocol exploiting KIIDs was developed to control for several individual variables, through delivering standard visual stimuli based on official financial documents. Participants performed a passive exploration task (with the only specific instruction of visually exploring the document), followed by an active task where they were asked to rate the financial attractiveness of the products, as low, medium or high. The Barratt impulsiveness scale (BIS-11) was administered to each participant, to score such personality trait.ResultsAttention distribution over the different information sources, included in the KIIDs, has been quantified and found to be independently modulated by both color and impulsivity, with a greater role of the former over the latter. The addition of either red or blue information to some KIID’s sections increases attention allocation toward the whole document, compared to the usual black and white version. BIS-11 total scores were inversely related to the first and average fixation duration in the neutral, though not in the colored condition.DiscussionBottom-up, stimulus-related mechanisms of attention allocation influence information acquisition during the reading of financial prospectuses to the point that the increased attention induced by color compensates for individual impulsivity. Such evidence should be considered by regulators when devising the disclosure documents in order to increase investors’ protection.

Brain structure and trait impulsivity: A comparative VBM study contrasting neural correlates of traditional and alternative concepts in healthy subjects

Impulsivity as a trait modulates a range of cognitive functions, e.g. planning, decision-making, or response inhibition. Recent behavioural and psychometric findings challenge both the neurobiological models as well as the conceptualisation of psychometric measures of impulsivity. In the present study, we aimed to test the association of brain structure with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), a commonly applied self-rating instrument for impulsivity, using both the classical three-factor-model for impulsive behaviour (motor (IM), attentional (IA) and non-planning impulsivity (INP)), as well as the recently proposed alternative model contrasting inability to wait for reward (IWR) as an index of impulsive choice and rapid response style (RRS) as an index of impulsive action. We analysed brain structural data in a community sample of 85 healthy individuals, who completed the BIS-11, using voxel-based morphometry (CAT12: Computational Anatomy Toolbox 12). Regional volumes were correlated with the three traditional BIS-11 subscales, as well as IWR and RRS. BIS-11 total score was positively correlated with right inferior parietal, postcentral, and supramarginal grey matter (p < 0.05, FWE cluster-level corrected). Attentional impulsivity (IA) was also positively correlated with right inferior and superior parietal and supramarginal gyri. Comparison of the other scales did show some divergence, but most correlations did not survive correction for multiple comparisons. Our findings suggest that difference facets of trait impulsivity might be related to different brain areas, and might thus dissociate along distinct but overlapping neural networks. In contrast to lesion or patient studies, these analyses delineate physiological variance, and can thus help to conceptualise network models in the absence of pathology.

Psychometric properties of the modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 in a large Brazilian sample.

Objective:The field of food addiction has attracted growing research attention. The modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (mYFAS 2.0) is a screening tool based on DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorders. However, there is no validated instrument to assess food addiction.Methods:The mYFAS 2.0 has been transculturally adapted to Brazilian Portuguese. The data for this study was obtained through an anonymous web-based research platform: participants provided sociodemographic data and answered Brazilian versions of the the mYFAS 2.0 and the Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11). Analysis included an assessment of the Brazilian mYFAS 2.0’s internal consistency reliability, factor structure, and convergent validity in relation to BIS-11 scores.Results:Overall, 7,639 participants were included (71.3% females; age: 27.2±7.9 years). The Brazilian mYFAS 2.0 had adequate internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.89). A single factor solution yielded the best goodness-of-fit parameters for both the continuous and categorical version of the mYFAS 2.0 in confirmatory factor analysis. In addition, mYFAS 2.0 correlated with BIS-11 total scores (Spearman’s rho = 0.26, p < 0.001) and subscores.Conclusion:The Brazilian mYFAS 2.0 demonstrated adequate psychometric properties in our sample; however, future studies should further evaluate its discriminant validity.

The association between impulsivity, emotion regulation, and symptoms of alcohol use disorder

Emotion dysregulation and impulsivity are important factors influencing the development and course of alcohol dependence. However, few empirical studies investigate the association between different aspects of impulsivity (cognitive, attentional, behavioral), emotion regulation, and alcohol use disorder symptoms in the same model. The goal of this study was to assess the association between emotion regulation and different facets of impulsivity among patients with an alcohol use disorder and healthy controls. The sample was comprised of 273 individuals: 180 participants with an alcohol use disorder undergoing inpatient alcohol treatment and 93 healthy controls. Emotion regulation was assessed using the Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test subscale. Impulsivity was assessed with Barratt's Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11). Statistical models tested both the BIS-11 total score, as well as three secondary factors (non-planning, attentional, and motor impulsivity). Findings indicate that individuals with alcohol use disorder symptoms were characterized by poor emotion regulation and high levels of impulsivity in all analyzed domains. Moreover, path analytic models indicated that after accounting for demographic factors (i.e., biological sex, age, education) there was evidence for a significant indirect effect of alcohol use disorder symptomatology on non-planning and attentional impulsivity via emotion regulation. There was no association between emotion regulation and motor impulsivity. These findings indicate the importance of targeting emotion regulation skills as well as behavioral control when treating patients with alcohol use disorder.

Differential contributions of cortical thickness and surface area to trait impulsivity in healthy young adults

BackgroundImpulsivity is an essential human personality trait and highly relevant for the development of several mental disorders. There is evidence that impulsivity is heritable, yet little is known about neural correlates reflecting early brain development. Here, we address the question whether motor, attentional and non-planning components, as reflected by the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), are distinctly associated with cortical thickness and surface area variations in young healthy individuals. MethodWe investigated cortical thickness and surface area in 54 healthy volunteers (m/f = 30%/70%; age mean/SD = 24.9/4.02) using structural magnetic resonance imaging at 3 T together with surface-based analysis techniques. Impulsivity was examined on the Barratt impulsiveness scale (BIS-11) and related to the two distinct cortical measurements. ResultsHigher BIS-11 total scores were negatively associated with cortical thickness variations in the left lingual gyrus, left superior temporal gyrus, right cuneus, and right superior parietal gyrus (p < 0.05 cluster-wise probability [CWP] corrected). Higher BIS-11 nonplanning scores were negatively associated with cortical thickness variations in bilateral pericalcarine gyrus (p < 0.05 CWP corr.). In the orbitofrontal cortex, the association between impulsivity and cortical thickness differed significantly between males and females. ConclusionThese data suggest distinct neurodevelopmental trajectories underlying impulsivity in healthy subjects. Impulsivity total scores appear to be specifically related to cortical thickness variations, in contrast to variations of cortical surface area. Furthermore, our findings underscore the importance of better characterizing gender-specific structural correlates of impulsivity.

Electro-acupuncture treatment for internet addiction: Evidence of normalization of impulse control disorder in adolescents.

To observe the impacts of electro-acupuncture (EA) and psychological intervention (PI) on impulsive behavior among internet addiction (IA) adolescents. Thirty-two IA adolescents were allocated to either EA (16 cases) or PI (16 cases) group by a randomized digital table. Subjects in the EA group received EA treatment and subjects in the PI group received cognition and behavior therapy. All adolescents underwent 45-d intervention. Sixteen healthy volunteers were recruited into a control group. Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) scores, Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT) as well as the ratio of brain N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) to creatine (NAA/Cr) and choline (Cho) to creatine (Cho/Cr) were recorded by magnetic resonance spectroscopy before and after intervention respectively. The IAT scores and BIS-11 total scores in both EA and PI group were remarkably decreased after treatment (P<0.05), while EA group showed more significant decrease in certain BIS-11 sub-factors (P<0.05). Both NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr were significantly improved in EA group after treatment (P<0.05); however, there were no significant changes of NAA/Cr or Cho/Cr in PI group after treatment (P>0.05). Both EA and PI had significantly positive effect on IA adolescents, especially in the aspects of psychological experiences and behavioral expressions, EA might have an advantage over PI in terms of impulsivity control and brain neuron protection. The mechanism underlying this advantage might be related to the increased NAA and Cho levels in prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortices.