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Changes in cue reactivity and attentional bias following experimental cue exposure and response prevention: A laboratory study of the effects of D-cycloserine in heavy drinkers
Kamboj, Sunjeev K. Massey-Chase, Rachel Rodney, Lydia Das, Ravi Almahdi, Basil Curran, H. Valerie Morgan, Celia J. A.
Kamboj, Sunjeev K.
Massey-Chase, Rachel
Rodney, Lydia
Das, Ravi
Almahdi, Basil
Curran, H. Valerie
Morgan, Celia J. A.
Abstract
Rationale: The effects of D-cycloserine (DCS) in animal models of anxiety disorders and addiction indicate a role for N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in extinction learning. Exposure/response prevention treatments for anxiety disorders in humans are enhanced by DCS, suggesting a promising co-therapy regime, mediated by NMDA receptors. Exposure/response prevention may also be effective in problematic drinkers, and DCS might enhance habituation to cues in these individuals. Since heavy drinkers show ostensible conditioned responses to alcohol cues, habituation following exposure/response prevention should be evident in these drinkers, with DCS enhancing this effect. Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of DCS on exposure/response prevention in heavy drinkers. Methods: In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, heavy social drinkers recruited from the community received either DCS (125 mg; n = 19) or placebo (n = 17) 1 h prior to each of two sessions of exposure/response prevention. Cue reactivity and attentional bias were assessed during these two sessions and at a third follow-up session. Between-session drinking behaviour was recorded. Results: Robust cue reactivity and attentional bias to alcohol cues was evident, as expected of heavy drinkers. Within- and between-session habituation of cue reactivity, as well as a reduction in attentional bias to alcohol cues over time was found. However, there was no evidence of greater habituation in the DCS group. Subtle stimulant effects (increased subjective contentedness and euphoria) which were unrelated to exposure/response prevention were found following DCS. Conclusions: DCS does not appear to enhance habituation of alcohol cue reactivity in heavy non-dependent drinkers. Its utility in enhancing treatments based on exposure/response prevention in dependent drinkers or drug users remains open.
Keywords
cue exposure, response prevention, d-Cycloserine, cue reactivity, attentional bias, alcohol, dependence, hazardous drinking, habituation extinction
Date
2011
Type
Journal article
Journal
Psychopharmacology
Book
Volume
217
Issue
1
Page Range
25-37
Article Number
ACU Department
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled