Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 21, 2025

Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder
05:12

Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder

Published on: June 23, 2023

949

Cognitive Alterations in Addictive Disorders: A Translational Approach

Ani Gasparyan1,2,3, Daniel Maldonado Sanchez4, Francisco Navarrete1,2,3

  • 1Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda de Ramón y Cajal s/n, 03550 San Juan de Alicante, Spain.

Biomedicines
|July 29, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Substance use disorders cause cognitive decline, impacting addiction treatment outcomes. Further research into molecular changes is crucial for developing targeted therapies for memory and learning impairments.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Addiction Research
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cognitive decline is a significant issue in substance use disorders (SUDs), persisting through dependence and abstinence.
  • This decline negatively affects treatment efficacy and increases patient dropout rates, with potential for irreversibility.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current evidence on cognitive impairment in individuals with SUDs and relevant animal models.
  • To identify associated biological markers and explore molecular alterations underlying cognitive deficits.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of recent literature on cognitive function in SUD patients.
  • Analysis of studies using animal models to investigate drug abuse-induced learning and memory deficits.
  • Examination of biological markers linked to cognitive impairment in SUDs.

Main Results:

  • Cognitive impairment is prevalent in various substance use disorders.
  • Animal models effectively simulate learning and memory alterations seen in human SUDs.
  • Biological markers associated with cognitive decline are being identified, though further research is needed.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding molecular and cellular alterations is key to developing effective therapeutic strategies for SUD-related cognitive decline.
  • Continued investigation into biological markers and molecular pathways is essential for novel treatment development.
  • Developing robust animal models is critical for advancing research in this field.
Keywords:
animal modelscognitionhuman studiesmemory and learningmolecular changessubstance abuse

More Related Videos

Comprehensive Analysis of Transcription Dynamics from Brain Samples Following Behavioral Experience08:14

Comprehensive Analysis of Transcription Dynamics from Brain Samples Following Behavioral Experience

Published on: August 26, 2014

11.7K
A Protocol for Measuring Cue Reactivity in a Rat Model of Cocaine Use Disorder07:51

A Protocol for Measuring Cue Reactivity in a Rat Model of Cocaine Use Disorder

Published on: June 18, 2018

10.6K

Related Concept Videos

Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena01:15

Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena

Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not...
521
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep01:24

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
196
Alzheimer's Disease: Overview01:26

Alzheimer's Disease: Overview

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
522
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine01:27

CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine

Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...
244
Long-term Depression01:03

Long-term Depression

Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
If over...
2.6K
Drug Dependence01:17

Drug Dependence

Medications are typically administered to achieve therapeutic effects. Some drugs can modify an individual's mood and perception, frequently resulting in various enjoyable experiences. However, this can result in drug dependency, a condition marked by continuous drug use despite potential negative consequences. Drug dependency primarily falls into two categories: psychological and physical dependence. Psychological dependence occurs when the pleasurable feelings induced by the drug...
1.1K