Relationship between behavioral inhibition and approach motivation systems (BIS/BAS) and intrinsic brain network connectivity in adult cannabis users
Mackenzie B. Taylor, R. Hammonds, F. Filbey
Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience May 5, 2021 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsab054 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 145 |
| Population | 86 cannabis-using adults and 59 non-using adults |
| Measures | BIS/BAS |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key findings | In cannabis users, behavioral inhibition (BIS) was positively correlated with left executive control network resting-state connectivity, whereas in non-users BIS correlated with right ECN connectivity. Group moderation of the BIS/BAS-ECN association was only trend-level, with a weaker association in users. An exploratory mediation analysis indicated cannabis use disorder severity mediated the relationship between BIS scores and left ECN connectivity in users, suggesting cannabis use may dysregulate typical ECN functional organization tied to BIS/BAS. |
Abstract
Abstract Dampened behavioral inhibition and overactive behavioral approach motivation systems (i.e. BIS/BAS) are associated with cannabis use disorder (CUD), although the underlying neural mechanisms of these alterations have not yet been examined. The brain’s executive control network (ECN) plays a role in decision-making and is associated with BIS/BAS. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that altered ECN resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) underlies dysfunctional behavioral inhibition and approach motivation in cannabis users. To that end, we collected resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans in 86 cannabis using adults and 59 non-using adults to examine group differences in the relationship between ECN rsFC and BIS/BAS. Our results showed that BIS was positively correlated with left ECN rsFC in cannabis users, while it was positively correlated with right ECN rsFC in non-users. There was a trend-level moderation effect of group on the association between BIS/BAS and ECN rsFC, showing a weaker association in BIS/BAS and ECN rsFC in cannabis users compared to non-users. An exploratory mediation analysis found that the severity of CUD mediated the relationship between users’ BIS scores and left ECN rsFC. These findings suggest that cannabis use may lead to dysregulation in typical ECN functional organization related to BIS/BAS.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cannabis use before age 15 and subsequent executive functioning 104 chronic cannabis users (49 early-onset before age 15, 55 late-onset after age 15)... | 2011 | Observational cross-sectional study | n = 148 |
| Patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use in drug using university students Drug-using university students | 2006 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 149 |
| Persisting Reductions in Cannabis, Opioid, and Stimulant Misuse After Naturalistic Psychedelic Use: An Online Survey Online survey respondents | 2020 | Cross-sectional survey | |
| User perceptions of the benefits and harms of hallucinogenic drug use: A web-based questionnaire study Users of hallucinogenic drugs who completed a web-based questionnaire | 2010 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 600 |
| Illicit Use of LSD or Psilocybin, but not MDMA or Nonpsychedelic Drugs, is Associated with Mystical Experiences in a Dose-Dependent Manner Adults recruited from the MAPS website and newsletter, most reporting use of various... | 2012 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 337 |