Neural correlates of inhibitory control in relation to the degree of substance use and substance-related problems - A systematic review and perspective

Abstract

Inhibitory control deficits are associated with substance use disorders (SUDs) and considered a risk factor. Most studies compare SUD groups with unaffected individuals, although the degree of substance use might relate to inhibitory control deficits and explain group differences. This raises the question to which extent these deficits are specifically linked to substance-related problems. We review studies reporting associations of inhibition-related neural activation (stop signal and go/nogo task) with continuous measures of the degree of substance use and substance-related problems, and with substance-related problems controlling for the degree of substance use. Results suggest negative associations between inhibition-related neural activation and the degree of substance use, but are inconclusive on the association with substance-related problems. Nonetheless, two studies reported significant associations of inhibition-related neural activation with substance-related problems controlling for the degree of substance use. Despite numerous studies showing alterations in inhibition-related neural activation in SUDs, the role of the degree of substance use needs further investigation and studies using dimensional approaches are necessary to uncover specific links to substance-related problems.

Keywords: Continuous associations; Degree of substance use; Inhibition control network; Inhibition-related neural activity; Inhibitory control; Substance use disorder; Substance-related problems.