Cognitive Training for Substance Addiction

(MCT Trial)

Overseen By Carla Harenski

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Male

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: The Mind Research Network

Disqualifiers: Dementia, Psychotic disorder, Major illness, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6 weeks

288 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if matching cognitive training to specific thinking deficits can improve life outcomes for individuals with a history of substance use and antisocial behavior. Participants will receive one of two types of cognitive training tailored to their specific challenges: focusing on context (Attention to Context, or ATC, training) or managing emotions (Affective Cognitive Control, or ACC, training). The trial includes brain scans and other assessments to explore the mechanisms of these trainings. It is well-suited for currently incarcerated individuals with a history of substance use disorder who meet specific criteria on a psychopathy checklist. As an unphased trial, this study allows participants to contribute to innovative research that could lead to new, personalized treatment approaches.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that these cognitive training methods are safe?

Research has shown that cognitive training for substance use disorders (SUDs) is generally easy for participants to handle. Studies have found that Affective Cognitive Control (ACC) training can improve thinking problems related to substance use. Participants typically accept this training well, and past trials have reported no major side effects.

Similarly, Attention to Context (ATC) training has been used in programs to help reduce substance use and has shown positive results. Participants often find it easier to manage their substance use without significant negative effects.

Both ACC and ATC training have been used in various settings without major safety concerns. The absence of severe side effects in previous studies suggests these methods are safe for participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these cognitive training methods because they offer a unique approach to tackling substance addiction by directly targeting specific cognitive deficits. Unlike traditional treatments that often focus on behavioral therapy or medication, Affective Cognitive Control (ACC) and Attention to Context (ATC) training aim to improve cognitive functions that are crucial for managing emotions and attention. This targeted approach could lead to more personalized and effective interventions for individuals struggling with addiction, potentially improving outcomes where conventional methods may fall short.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for substance addiction?

Research shows that certain types of brain training can help people with substance use problems. In this trial, participants will receive either Affective Cognitive Control (ACC) training or Attention to Context (ATC) training. ACC training focuses on managing emotions and processing rewards, which are important in addiction. Studies have found that this type of training can improve memory and decision-making skills, helping to reduce substance use. ATC training changes how people pay attention to things, such as reducing focus on drug-related cues. This method has effectively decreased addictive behaviors and cravings. Both approaches aim to strengthen thinking skills, leading to better control over substance use. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for offenders with substance use disorders who also have mild cognitive impairment or antisocial personality disorder. They should be able to complete cognitive training sessions and MRI scans. Details on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria are not provided.

Inclusion Criteria

Currently incarcerated

No uncorrectable auditory or visual deficits

5th grade reading level or higher

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants complete six one-hour sessions of cognitive skills training, pre and post-training behavioral tasks, and MRI scans

6 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for real-world outcomes including substance use, institutional adjustment, and recidivism

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Affective Cognitive Control (ACC) training
• Attention to Context (ATC) training

Trial Overview The study tests two types of cognitive remediation: Attention to Context (ATC) training and Affective Cognitive Control (ACC) training, aiming to match the treatment type with the offender's specific deficits. It includes brain imaging and behavioral tasks before and after six one-hour training sessions.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: No psychopathology Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants in the no psychopathology group will receive one of the two treatment types (ATC or ACC).

Group II: Attention to context deficit Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants with attention to context deficits will receive treatment either targeted towards their specific deficit (matched) or towards affective cognitive control deficits (mismatched).

Group III: Affective Cognitive Control deficit Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants with affective cognitive control deficits will receive treatment either targeted towards their specific deficit (matched) or towards attention to context deficits (mismatched).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The Mind Research Network

Lead Sponsor

Trials

27

Recruited

2,300+

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Collaborator

Trials

2,658

Recruited

3,409,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11061450/

Cognitive training interventions for substance use disorders Cognitive training (CT) has emerged as a potential therapeutic approach for substance use disorders (SUD), aiming to restore cognitive impairments.

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0149763415302827

Cognitive training for substance use disorders This article reviews the emerging research on cognitive training for substance use disorders, and discusses the neuroscientific mechanisms that underlie ...

3. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.730165/full

Cognitive Training Effectiveness on Memory, Executive ... However, there is evidence that cognitive training can lead to improvements in cognitive functions and can be useful when treating addictions.

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10073279/

Cognitive training and remediation interventions for ... Expert recommendations on cognitive training and remediation for SUD highlight the relevance of targeting implicit biases, reward, emotion regulation, and ...

5. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.16109

Cognitive training and remediation interventions for ... Cognitive training and remediation interventions for substance use disorders: a Delphi consensus study

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1781376/

The Emerging Evidence Supporting Cognitive-Behavioral ... The aim of this review is to integrate the findings from controlled trials of CBT for adolescent substance abuse.

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376871625002091

Cognitive-behavioral interventions for co-occurring ... The current meta-analysis provides an overview of cognitive-behaviorally-based interventions (CBI) that treat co-occurring alcohol and other drug use (AOD)

8. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1388935/full

Cognitive training interventions for substance use disorders Cognitive training (CT) has emerged as a potential therapeutic approach for substance use disorders (SUD), aiming to restore cognitive impairments and ...

9. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06226467

NCT06226467 | Neurobehavioral Affective Control Training The primary aim of this study is to examine the acceptability, efficacy, and feasibility of Neurobehavioral Affective Control Training (N-ACT) as a novel ...

10. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6859954/

A Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Substance Use Interventions ... This meta-analysis examines if substance use interventions affect emotion outcomes, and the magnitude of this effect, across different emotion categories and ...