Brain reward circuitry:The overlapping neurobiology of trauma and substance use disorders

Mental health symptoms secondary to trauma exposure and substance use disorders(SUDs)co-occur frequently in both clinical and community samples.The possibility of a shared aetiology remains an important question in translational neuroscience.Advancements in genetics,basic science,and neuroimaging have led to an improved understanding of the neural basis of these disorders,their frequent comorbidity and high rates of relapse remain a clinical challenge.This project aimed to conduct a review of the field’s current understanding regarding the neural circuitry underlying posttraumatic stress disorder and SUD.A comprehensive review was conducted of available published literature regarding the shared neurobiology of these disorders,and is summarized in detail,including evidence from both animal and clinical studies.Upon summarizing the relevant literature,this review puts forth a hypothesis related to their shared neurobiology within the context of fear processing and reward cues.It provides an overview of brain reward circuitry and its relation to the neurobiology,symptomology,and phenomenology of trauma and substance use.This review provides clinical insights and implications of the proposed theory,including the potential development of novel pharmacological and therapeutic treatments to address this shared neurobiology.Limitations and extensions of this theory are discussed to provide future directions and insights for this shared phenomena.

青少年非自杀性自伤行为成瘾属性研究进展

非自杀性自伤(non-suicidal self-injury,NSSI)是高发于青少年的行为,既往研究显示该行为具有成瘾相关特征。青少年NSSI行为的成瘾属性可使用渥太华自伤量表(Ottawa self-injury inventory,OSI)进行评估,NSSI行为成瘾性评分越高,自伤行为越严重。心理机制方面,不同模型显示NSSI行为的成瘾特性可能与行为强化机制和易感个体情感、认知与行为的交互机制等有关。神经生物机制方面,阿片类和多巴胺物质可能介导NSSI的行为成瘾,起源于中脑系统的大脑奖赏环路可能起到关键作用。心理治疗在缓解NSSI行为上有一定优势,而物质成瘾的治疗药物和无创神经调控方法可能从缓解行为成瘾方面改善NSSI行为。综上,NSSI可能是一种成瘾性疾病,未来需要更多研究加以佐证。