Improved Response Inhibition Through Cognition-Guided EEG Neurofeedback in Men With Methamphetamine Use Disorder

What is it about?

A core cognitive deficit in methamphetamine use disorder is impaired response inhibition—an inability to stop impulsive actions. This deficit is particularly severe when individuals are exposed to drug-related cues, because the brain's reactivity to those cues hijacks the cognitive resources needed for inhibition. This study develops a novel 'brain-training' therapy, cognition-guided neurofeedback. We identified personalized EEG signature of drug cue reactivity for each participant and then, using a real-time feedback system, trained participants to continuously deactivate drug cue reactivity. After 10 sessions, participants showed a significant improvement in response inhibition, successfully strengthening their cognitive control in the context of drug cue exposure.

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Photo by Mindfield Biosystems on Unsplash

Photo by Mindfield Biosystems on Unsplash

Why is it important?

With effective treatments for methamphetamine addiction severely lacking, this study provides a crucial breakthrough. Our non-invasive neurofeedback therapy significantly improves response inhibition, outperforming standard rehabilitation. Crucially, we can predict a patient's success from performance of the first session, paving the way for truly personalized treatment plans. This work offers new hope and a potential blueprint for tackling a wide range of addictions.