Current/Recent Research Projects
We are currently conducting a number of research projects in the CNALab and along with our collaborators. This list is meant to be an overview of our studies. If you would like to learn more about a specific area, please contact Dr. Amlung by email.
We are currently conducting a number of research projects in the CNALab and along with our collaborators. This list is meant to be an overview of our studies. If you would like to learn more about a specific area, please contact Dr. Amlung by email.
Investigating structural and functional neural correlates of alcohol and nicotine use disorders
Chronic alcohol use is associated with substantial negative effects on the structure and function of the brain. Our current grant-funded research is using structural MRI to investigate the role of intracortical myelin in the neuropathology of alcohol use disorders. We are also funded by NIAAA to use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to explore the neural correlates of dynamic increases and decreases in alcohol demand in heavy drinkers. Finally, we have recently examined examining associations between brain structure (cortical thickness, gray matter volume) and neurocognitive functioning in alcohol use disorders using data from the Human Connectome Project.
Exploring novel neuromodulatory technology as a potential treatment for addiction
The CNALab recently purchased a transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) system to establish a new line of research exploring neurostimulation technology as a potential intervention for alcohol use disorder and other addictive disorders. We are currently conducting a pilot study investigating the effects of tDCS over prefrontal cortex regions on measures of risk-taking in people who use cannabis compared to non-users.
Using behavioral economics to investigate motivation for alcohol and other drugs
Several of our recent projects have utilized a behavioral economics approach to investigate dynamic influences on motivation for alcohol and other drugs. This work relies on the concept of behavioral economic demand, or the quantitative relationship between cost of a commodity (alcohol, tobacco, etc) and consumption. We have shown previously that demand for alcohol is dynamically increased by alcohol-related environmental cues related to alcohol and also by acute stress. We are continuing this work by examining cross-commodity craving and demand for alcohol and cigarettes among heavy drinking smokers.
Concurrent addictive and mental health disorders
Epidemiological studies have consistently reported high comorbidity between addictive disorders and other psychiatric illnesses, such as alcohol use disorders and major depression. These concurrent disorders are associated with increased severity of substance misuse, poor treatment outcomes, increased hospitalizations, and a number of other negative consequences compared to individuals with addiction or psychiatric disorders alone. Dr. Amlung is a principal investigator of a research project that is building a database of clinical and neurocognitive measures in patients from the concurrent disorders unit St Joseph's West 5th hospital. We are also examining contintingency management interventions for promoting smoking cessation among individuals with schizophrenia. Finally, we are investigating prevalence and clinical correlates of traumatic brain injury among people with concurrent disorders
Other collaborative projects
Examples of studies that we are conducting with colleagues at McMaster and other institutions include:
Chronic alcohol use is associated with substantial negative effects on the structure and function of the brain. Our current grant-funded research is using structural MRI to investigate the role of intracortical myelin in the neuropathology of alcohol use disorders. We are also funded by NIAAA to use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to explore the neural correlates of dynamic increases and decreases in alcohol demand in heavy drinkers. Finally, we have recently examined examining associations between brain structure (cortical thickness, gray matter volume) and neurocognitive functioning in alcohol use disorders using data from the Human Connectome Project.
Exploring novel neuromodulatory technology as a potential treatment for addiction
The CNALab recently purchased a transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) system to establish a new line of research exploring neurostimulation technology as a potential intervention for alcohol use disorder and other addictive disorders. We are currently conducting a pilot study investigating the effects of tDCS over prefrontal cortex regions on measures of risk-taking in people who use cannabis compared to non-users.
Using behavioral economics to investigate motivation for alcohol and other drugs
Several of our recent projects have utilized a behavioral economics approach to investigate dynamic influences on motivation for alcohol and other drugs. This work relies on the concept of behavioral economic demand, or the quantitative relationship between cost of a commodity (alcohol, tobacco, etc) and consumption. We have shown previously that demand for alcohol is dynamically increased by alcohol-related environmental cues related to alcohol and also by acute stress. We are continuing this work by examining cross-commodity craving and demand for alcohol and cigarettes among heavy drinking smokers.
Concurrent addictive and mental health disorders
Epidemiological studies have consistently reported high comorbidity between addictive disorders and other psychiatric illnesses, such as alcohol use disorders and major depression. These concurrent disorders are associated with increased severity of substance misuse, poor treatment outcomes, increased hospitalizations, and a number of other negative consequences compared to individuals with addiction or psychiatric disorders alone. Dr. Amlung is a principal investigator of a research project that is building a database of clinical and neurocognitive measures in patients from the concurrent disorders unit St Joseph's West 5th hospital. We are also examining contintingency management interventions for promoting smoking cessation among individuals with schizophrenia. Finally, we are investigating prevalence and clinical correlates of traumatic brain injury among people with concurrent disorders
Other collaborative projects
Examples of studies that we are conducting with colleagues at McMaster and other institutions include:
- Evaluating screening measures for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in adults in the forensic mental health system. This study is using mobile eye tracking technology and portable EEG recording. We are also examining pathological decision-making and alcohol misuse in this sample (with Dr. Kaitlyn McLachlan)
- Using behavioral economics to investigate cue-elicited craving and demand for excessive ultraviolet indoor tanning in college students (with Dr. Derek Reed)
- Examining the effects of acute alcohol intoxication on decision making, alcohol motivation, and decisions to drink and drive (with Dr. Denis McCarthy)
Questions or Comments?
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