scholarly journals Sex Differences in Substance Use Disorders: A Neurobiological Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Cornish ◽  
Asheeta A. Prasad
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Reward Processing ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Neural Structure ◽  
Patterns Of Use ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Advance Knowledge

Clinical studies provide fundamental knowledge of substance use behaviors (substance of abuse, patterns of use, relapse rates). The combination of neuroimaging approaches reveal correlation between substance use disorder (SUD) and changes in neural structure, function, and neurotransmission. Here, we review these advances, placing special emphasis on sex specific findings from structural neuroimaging studies of those dependent on alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, psychostimulants, or opioids. Recent clinical studies in SUD analyzing sex differences reveal neurobiological changes that are differentially impacted in common reward processing regions such as the striatum, hippocampus, amygdala, insula, and corpus collosum. We reflect on the contribution of sex hormones, period of drug use and abstinence, and the potential impact of these factors on the interpretation of the reported findings. With the overall recognition that SUD impacts the brains of females and males differentially, it is of fundamental importance that future research is designed with sex as a variable of study in this field. Improved understanding of neurobiological changes in males and females in SUD will advance knowledge underlying sex-specific susceptibility and the neurobiological impact in these disorders. Together these findings will inform future treatments that are tailor designed for improved efficacy in females and males with SUD.

scholarly journals When Research Meets Reality–-Lessons Learned from a Pragmatic Multisite Group-Randomized Clinical Trial on Psychosocial Interventions in the Psychiatric and Addiction Field

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. SART.S9245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda E. Wüsthoff ◽  
Helge Waal ◽  
Rolf W. Gråwe
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trial ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Integrated Treatment ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Future Research ◽  
New Challenges

Research on treatments for patients with co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders is of core importance and at the same time highly challenging as it includes patients that are normally excluded from clinical studies. Such research may require methodological adaptations which in turn create new challenges. However, the challenges that arise in such studies are insufficiently discussed in the literature. The aim of this methodology paper is, firstly, to discuss the methodological adaptations that may be required in such research; secondly, to describe how such adaptations created new challenges in a group-randomized clinical trial on Integrated Treatment amongst patients with co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders. We also discuss how these challenges might be understood and highlight lessons for future research in this field. Trial registration: NCT00447733.

Motivations to decrease and cease substance use in third-level students: A scoping review.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
eadaoin whelan ◽  
Samantha Dockray ◽  
Samantha Dick ◽  
Martin Davoren ◽  
Ciara Heavin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Information Exchange ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Qualitative Synthesis ◽  
Illicit Substance ◽  
Illicit Substance Use ◽  
Patterns Of Use ◽  
Student Motivations

Background: Illicit substance use by third-level students is associated with depressive symptoms, health risk, relationship strain, and legal ramifications. Prevention and intervention programmes have often been grounded in information exchange, aimed at education of students about the associated risks. However, these interventions produce only small to moderate effect sizes in promoting reduction or cessation of substance use in third-level students. Understanding what motivates third-level students to change their substance use behaviour is essential in the planning of effective behaviour change programmes. The aim of this scoping review was to determine factors that relate to student motivations to reduce or stop their illicit use of substances, and to increase understanding of the factors that may be pertinent in behaviour change interventions for substance use in this population. Method: We searched 8 databases in August 2018 using search terms based on ‘students’, ‘illicit substance use’, and ‘motivations’. We identified 86 research articles that reported on third-level students’ illicit substance use, and included reasons or motives for their usage. Results: After full-text screening, only three studies were eligible for inclusion in the qualitative synthesis. The majority of studies were excluded as they described motives for abstention, but did not describe motivation for reducing or stopping current patterns of use of illicit substances. Conclusion: Few efforts have been made to identify motivations of third-level students to decrease or cease substance use. Promising avenues for future research on motivations to change in relation to substance use include the social contextual factors, perceptions of effects on social relationships, and actions of friends and family members to prompt contemplations of change.

Sex differences in humor experiences in relationship to compassion for oneself and for others

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 341-359
Author(s):  
Abygail Kosiara ◽  
Deirdre Katz ◽  
Sarina Saturn
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Environmental Concern ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Humor Styles ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Potential Basis ◽  
Males And Females

AbstractThis study explored how multifaceted facets of humor relate to sex differences and compassion for oneself, others, and the environment (Ntotal = 697; 57.5% female). We utilized the Dispositional Positive Emotions ‘amusement’ subscale (DPES-H), the Humor Styles Questionnaire Self-Enhancing Dimension (HSQ-SE), and the COPE Inventory to assess ‘coping humor’ (COPE-CH) and found that males report significantly higher scores of these humor constructs when compared to females. Considering previous research indicating that humor may be used to enhance oneself and relationships with others, we compared all three humor measures in males and females with reports of self-compassion, other-oriented compassion, and altruistic environmental concern. Interestingly, we found that all three humor scales are significantly related to the multi-faceted measure of self-compassion, the DPES ‘compassion’ subscale (DPES-C), and the environmental concern scale, but specific significant correlations vary according to sex. Altogether, this study explores sex differences in humor experiences and illustrates that women’s experiences with coping humor, DPES humor, and self-enhancing humor are significantly correlated with reports of compassion for oneself and others while men’s experiences with coping humor, DPES humor, and self-enhancing humor are significantly correlated with altruistic environmental concern. Potential basis for these correlations and implications for future research in light of these sex differences and similarities will be discussed.

Sex Differences in Childhood Bullying Victimization and Trajectories of Substance Use From Adolescence to Adulthood

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric J. Connolly
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Marijuana Use ◽  
Bullying Victimization ◽  
Cigarette Use ◽  
Latent Growth ◽  
Developmental Patterns ◽  
Growth Curve Models ◽  
Developmental Growth ◽  
Males And Females

Recent research has found that repeated bullying victimization increases the risk of developing several unhealthy habits later in life including periodic substance use. Comparatively less research, however, has examined whether the association between bullying victimization and developmental growth in substance use is different for males and females. The present study addressed this gap in the literature by analyzing data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997. Results from a series of sex-specific latent growth curve models reveal that bullied males experience faster increases in cigarette and marijuana use from adolescence to young adulthood compared to non-bullied males, while bullied females experience faster increases in cigarette use compared to non-bullied females. Bullied males also experience slower declines in cigarette and marijuana use from adolescence to middle adulthood, while bullied females experience slower declines in alcohol and cigarette use. Implications of these findings for research on sex differences in bullying victimization and developmental patterns of substance use are discussed.

Homonegative Attitudes and their Correlates Among Vietnamese College Students

2016 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 849-860
Author(s):  
Toan Thanh Nguyen ◽  
Kenichi Kimura ◽  
Yasuko Morinaga
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Ho Chi Minh City ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Attitudes Toward Homosexuality ◽  
Masculinity Ideology ◽  
Accurate Knowledge ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Traditional Masculinity

This study investigated sex differences in homonegativity and their correlates among 197 Vietnamese college students (males = 49, females = 148, M = 20.9 years, SD = 2.9) in Ho Chi Minh City. The survey included Vietnamese-language versions of four scales measuring attitudes toward homosexuality (ATHS), traditional masculinity ideology, knowledge of homosexuality, and contact experiences with homosexuals. An exploratory factor analysis indicated a 3-factor structure for the ATHS: Homonegativity, Tolerance, and Positive Images. Male respondents reported significantly higher scores on homonegativity. Traditional masculinity ideology was positively related to females’ homonegativity, but negatively correlated with tolerant attitudes of both males and females. Knowledge about homosexuality was negatively correlated with homonegativity. Media contact with homosexuals was negatively correlated with males’ homonegativity, but positively correlated with both females and males’ tolerant attitudes. Results suggest that future research develop a new scale to measure Vietnamese’s homonegativity and that media contact as well as ample and accurate knowledge about homosexuality can alter homonegativity.

Sex Differences in the Perception of Romantic Love-Mate Attraction

1978 ◽  
Vol 47 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1089-1090 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Pellegrini
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Romantic Love ◽  
Female Respondent ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Mate Attraction ◽  
Sexist Attitudes ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Male Supremacy

A sample of 450 male and 450 female single young adults were questioned as to whether they regarded romantic love-mate attraction as (a) easier for men than for women, (b) easier for women than for men, or (c) equally difficult for men and women. For both the males and females surveyed, the “equally difficult” alternative was endorsed the most frequently, the “easier for women” alternative the next most frequently, and the “easier for men” alternative the least frequently. The significant difference between the two distributions reflects a greater tendency among male than among female respondent to see mate attraction as easier for women. The results are thus contradictive of sexist attitudes of male supremacy in young people of both sexes, at least as far as the interpersonal marketplace is concerned. Directions for future research are outlined.

scholarly journals Testing for Sex Differences in the Nomological Network of the Triarchic Model of Psychopathy in Incarcerated Individuals

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio Sica ◽  
Emily R. Perkins ◽  
Keanan J. Joyner ◽  
Corrado Caudek ◽  
Gioia Bottesi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Nomological Network ◽  
Substance Use Problems ◽  
Behavioral Variables ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Study Support ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Triarchic Model

AbstractThe triarchic model of psychopathy conceptualizes variants of this clinical condition as expressions of three distinct biobehavioral dispositions, termed boldness, meanness, and disinhibition. As a trait-oriented model, the triarchic model situates psychopathy within a broader nomological network of personality and psychopathology, and has proven useful for characterizing how psychopathy relates to variables in these domains as well as to biological and behavioral variables. The current study was the first to examine sex differences in the external correlates of psychopathic traits as described by the triarchic model in a prison sample. Results were generally consistent with hypotheses: The triarchic traits related to measures of personality and psychopathology in patterns that were largely consistent across sex, but with some notable differences between males and females, in the correlates of disinhibition in particular. These included stronger associations for disinhibition with substance use problems, self-harm, and staff ratings of prison misbehavior among females compared to males. Findings from this study support the value of the triarchic model for understanding similarities and differences in the nomological network of psychopathy in incarcerated males and females.

scholarly journals Sex differences in 90-day outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy E Madsen ◽  
Eliza DeCroce-Movson ◽  
Morgan Hemendinger ◽  
Ryan A McTaggart ◽  
Shadi Yaghi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽  
Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Post Discharge ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽  
Stroke Center

BackgroundIt is largely unknown whether functional outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion (LVO) ischemic strokes differ by sex in non-clinical trial populations. We investigated sex differences in 90-day outcomes among ischemic stroke patients receiving mechanical thrombectomy.MethodsThis was a prospective cohort of adults treated with mechanical thrombectomy for LVO at a single academic comprehensive stroke center from July 2015 to April 2017. Data on independence (mRS ≤2) at hospital discharge and 90 days were collected prospectively. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the association between sex and 90-day independence, first adjusting for demographics, pre-stroke mRS, and NIHSS, then by co-morbidities and time to thrombectomy, and finally by vessel recanalization and use of intravenous thrombolysis.ResultsWe included 279 patients, 52% of whom were female. Compared with males, females were older (median years (IQR) 81 (75–88) vs. 71.5 (60–81), P<0.001) and had higher baseline NIHSS (mean SD 18.2±7.5 vs . 16.0±7.1, P=0.02). Similar proportions of males and females had pre-stroke mRS ≤2 (73.3% vs.67.1%, P=0.27). In multivariate analyses, males and females had a similar likelihood of being independent at discharge (aOR 0.71 (95%CI 0.32 to 1.58)), but females were less likely to be independent at 90 days (aOR 0.37 95% CI 0.16 to 0.87).ConclusionsIn patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy for LVOs at a large comprehensive stroke center, females were less likely to be independent at 90 days. Future research should investigate contributors to poor outcomes post-discharge in females with LVOs, along with potential interventions to improve outcomes.

Progress in the Consideration of Possible Sex Differences in Drug Interaction Studies

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panjasaram Naidoo ◽  
Manoranjenni Chetty
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Drug Interaction ◽  
Drug Interactions ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Qt Prolongation ◽  
Equal Proportion ◽  
Anecdotal Evidence ◽  
Interaction Studies ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
General Guidance

Background: Anecdotal evidence suggests that there may be sex differences in Drug-drug Interactions (DDI) involving specific drugs. Regulators have provided general guidance for the inclusion of females in clinical studies. Some clinical studies have reported sex differences in the Pharmacokinetics (PK) of CYP3A4 substrates, suggesting that DDI involving CYP3A4 substrates could potentially show sex differences. Objective: The aim of this review was to investigate whether recent prospective DDI studies have included both sexes and whether there was evidence for the presence or absence of sex differences with the DDIs. Methods: The relevant details from 156 drug interaction studies within 124 papers were extracted and evaluated. Results: Only eight studies (five papers) compared the outcome of the DDI between males and females. The majority of the studies had only male volunteers. Five studies had females only while 60 had males only, with 7.7% of the studies having an equal proportion of both sexes. Surprisingly, four studies did not specify the sex of the subjects. : Based on the limited number of studies comparing males and females, no specific trends or conclusions were evident. Sex differences in the interaction were reported between ketoconazole and midazolam as well as clarithromycin and midazolam. However, no sex difference was observed with the interaction between clarithromycin and triazolam or erythromycin and triazolam. No sex-related PK differences were observed with the interaction between ketoconazole and domperidone, although sex-related differences in QT prolongation were observed. Conclusion: This review has shown that only limited progress had been made with the inclusion of both sexes in DDI studies.

scholarly journals Sex Differences in the Association Between Cannabis Use and Suicidal Ideation and Attempts, Depression, and Psychological Distress Among Canadians

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (5) ◽  
pp. 345-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jillian E. Halladay ◽  
Michael H. Boyle ◽  
Catharine Munn ◽  
Susan M. Jack ◽  
Katholiki Georgiades
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Suicidal Thoughts ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Nationally Representative

Background: Depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders are leading causes of morbidity worldwide. The most commonly used illicit substance is cannabis and there is some evidence that the association between cannabis use and poor mental health is more pronounced among females compared with males. This analysis examines sex differences in the association between cannabis use and major depressive episode (MDE), suicidal thoughts and attempts, and psychological distress. Methods: This study uses data from the 2002 and 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey’s Mental Health Component, repeated cross-sectional surveys of nationally representative samples of Canadians 15 years of age and older ( n = 43,466). Linear and binary logistic regressions were performed, applying weighting and bootstrapping. Results: There were significant sex differences in the strength of the association between cannabis use and suicidal thoughts and attempts and psychological distress, but not MDE. Females who reported using cannabis occasionally (defined as 1 to 4 times a month) reported higher levels of psychological distress than their male counterparts. Females who reported using regularly (defined as more than once per week) reported higher levels of psychological distress and were more likely to report suicidal thoughts and attempts. Conclusions: Future research is needed to further our understanding of the nature of these sex differences. Public health messaging should incorporate being female as a potential risk factor for the co-occurrence of cannabis use and emotional problems, particularly at higher frequencies of use. Clinicians should also be aware of this association to better inform integrated mental health and substance use screening, discussions, and care, particularly for female patients.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document