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Optimizing treatment for cognitive deficits in substance use disorders: testing new methods to individualize treatment and examining mediating neural pathways

William Lechner Ph.D, Psychological Sciences, Â鶹ÊÓƵ

Amit Anand, M.D., Cleveland Clinic Lerner School of Medicine

Neuroimaging and preclinical investigations have led to recent advances in understanding the neural circuitry that maintains addictive behaviors. However, the translation of these findings to treatment for individuals with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) has lagged. A new therapy for treating SUDs called neurostimulation provides an opportunity to capitalize on advances in our understanding of the addicted brain. Neurostimulation activates areas of the brain known to be under-performing in people with SUDs. A new pilot study will take this technology one step further by targeting the stimulation on an individualized basis. Specifically, neuroimaging will allow for identification of the location in the brain activated when an individual exerts control over their craving (urge to use a substance). Then the stimulation will be targeted in that area to strengthen the person’s ability to forego use of the substance. This method will allow for more precise application of the stimulation and will be compared to standard stimulation methods to examine if it provides a significant advantage.