Exploring social impairment in those with opioid use disorder: linking impulsivity, childhood trauma, and the prefrontal cortex
摘要
Challenges with social functioning, which is a hallmark of opioid use disorder (OUD), are a drawback in treatment adherence and maintenance. Yet, little research has explored the underlying mechanisms of this impairment. Impulsivity and corresponding neural alterations may be at the center of this issue. Childhood adversity, which has been linked to both impulsivity and poorer treatment outcomes, could also affect this relationship. This study explores the relationship between impulsivity, social functioning, and their neural correlates in the prefrontal cortex, while examining the potential moderating effects of childhood trauma in individuals recovering from OUD.
MethodsParticipants with (N = 16) and without (N = 19) social impairment completed a survey (e.g., social functioning, Barrat’s Impulsivity Scale, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and cognitive tasks while undergoing neuroimaging. Functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), a modern, portable, wearable and low-cost neuroimaging technology, was used to measure prefrontal cortex activity during a behavioral inhibition task (Go/No-Go task).
ResultsThose who social functioning survey scores indicated social impairment (n = 16) scored significantly higher on impulsivity scale (t [
In addition to being more impulsive, individuals with social impairment exhibited greater activation in the prefrontal cortex during the Go/No-Go task. Furthermore, the impact of impulsivity on social functioning varies depending on ACEs, such that higher levels of ACEs corresponded to a stronger negative relationship between impulsivity and social functioning, highlighting its importance in treatment approaches. These findings have implications for addressing social needs and impulsivity of those in recovery, highlighting the importance of a more personalized, integrative, and trauma-informed approach to intervention.