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Published on: June 23, 2023
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Identifying neurofunctional domains across substance use disorders.
Emily E Hartwell1,2, Melanie Schwandt3, Yaira Z Nunez4,5
1Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
|July 17, 2024
Summary
This study identified six key domains underlying substance use disorders (SUDs), including specific substance predispositions, externalizing behaviors, personality traits, and executive function deficits. These findings highlight SUD heterogeneity and inform targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
Background:
- Substance use disorders (SUDs) are complex and heterogeneous, with varying functional domains contributing to their persistence.
- Previous research has identified different domains across studies, limiting generalizability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify underlying latent domains in a large, diverse sample of individuals with SUDs using factor analysis.
- To enhance the generalizability of findings on SUD heterogeneity.
Main Methods:
- Employed exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a multiple indicators, multiple causes (MIMIC) approach on data from 5,244 participants.
- Utilized the Semi-Structured Assessment for Drug Dependence and Alcoholism, NEO Personality Inventory, and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test.
- Examined model fit using RMSEA, CFI, and TLI, and tested associations with sociodemographics and substance use history.
Main Results:
- A six-factor model best explained the data, encompassing predominant alcohol, cocaine, and opioid use, externalizing behaviors, personality, and executive function.
- All factors, except executive function, showed moderate correlations.
- MIMIC analysis revealed distinct associations between factors and sociodemographics, substance use, and abuse history.
Conclusions:
- The identified domains, particularly executive function, align with previous research, reinforcing the heterogeneous nature of SUDs.
- These distinct domains offer a framework for developing more targeted and effective clinical interventions for SUDs.
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