Self-regulation of the Dopaminergic Reward Circuit in Cocaine Users with Mental Imagery and Neurofeedback
Self-regulation of the Dopaminergic Reward Circuit in Cocaine Users with Mental Imagery and Neurofeedback
Abstract Background: Enhanced drug-related reward sensitivity accompanied by impaired sensitivity to non-drug related rewards in the mesolimbic dopamine system are thought to underlie the broad motivational deficits and dysfunctional decision-making frequently observed in cocaine use disorder (CUD). Effective approaches to modify this imbalance and reinstate non-drug reward responsiveness are urgently needed. Here we examine whether cocaine users (CU) can use mental imagery of non-drug rewards to self-regulate the ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra (VTA/SN). We expected that compulsive and obsessive thoughts about cocaine consumption would hamper the ability to self-regulate the VTA/SN. Finally, we tested if self-regulation of the VTA/SN can be improved with real-time fMRI (rtfMRI) neurofeedback (NFB). Methods: Twenty-two CU and 28 healthy controls (HC) were asked to voluntarily up-regulate VTA/SN activity with rewarding non-drug imagery alone, or combined with rtfMRI NFB of VTA/SN activity. Obsessive-compulsive drug use was measured with the Obsessive Compulsive Cocaine Use Scale (OCCUS). Results: CU were able to induce activity in the dopaminergic midbrain and other reward regions with reward imagery. The ability to self-regulate the VTA/SN was reduced in those with more severe obsessive-compulsive drug use. NFB enhanced the effect of non-drug imagery. Conclusion: CU can voluntary activate their reward system through non-drug related imagery and improve this ability with rtfMRI NFB. Combining reward imagery and rtFMRI NFB has great potential for modifying the maladapted reward sensitivity and reinstating non-drug reward responsiveness. This motivates further work to examine the therapeutic potential of cognitive neurostimulation in CUD.
Baumgartner Markus R.、Herdener Marcus、Haugg Amelie、St?empfli Philipp、Quednow Boris B.、Scharnowski Frank、Sulzer James、H?esli Sarah、Kirschner Matthias、Huys Quentin J.M.、Engeli Etna、Hodel Martina、Seifritz Erich、Sladky Ronald、Jehli Elisabeth
Center for Forensic Hair Analysis, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of ZurichCenter for Addictive Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich||Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of ZurichDepartment of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich||Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and Swiss Federal Institute of TechnologyDepartment of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of ZurichExperimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital||Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology||Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of ZurichDepartment of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich||Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology||Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of ZurichDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at AustinCenter for Addictive Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of ZurichCenter for Addictive Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich||Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of ZurichCenter for Addictive Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich||Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich||Translational Neuromodeling Unit, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Zurich and ETH ZurichCenter for Addictive Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of ZurichDepartment of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of ZurichDepartment of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of ZurichDepartment of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of ZurichDepartment of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich
神经病学、精神病学医学研究方法基础医学
cocaine use disorderdopaminemental imageryneurofeedbackreal-time fMRIreward sensitivity
Baumgartner Markus R.,Herdener Marcus,Haugg Amelie,St?empfli Philipp,Quednow Boris B.,Scharnowski Frank,Sulzer James,H?esli Sarah,Kirschner Matthias,Huys Quentin J.M.,Engeli Etna,Hodel Martina,Seifritz Erich,Sladky Ronald,Jehli Elisabeth.Self-regulation of the Dopaminergic Reward Circuit in Cocaine Users with Mental Imagery and Neurofeedback[EB/OL].(2025-03-28)[2025-04-26].https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/321166.点此复制
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