Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer and problematic alcohol consumption with comorbid cannabis use in young men

Research output: Contribution to journalMeeting abstractContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Samanda Krasniqi - , Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (Author)
  • Maria Garbusow - , MSB Medical School Berlin Hochschule für Gesundheit und Medizin (Author)
  • Hao Chen - , Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (Author)
  • Annika Rosenthal - , Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (Author)
  • Eva Friedel - , Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (Author)
  • Michael N. Smolka - , Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (Author)
  • Maximilian Pilhatsch - , Elblandklinikum Meißen-Radebeul (Author)
  • Andreas Heinz - , Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (Author)
  • Gianna Spitta - , Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (Author)

Abstract

Young adults with problematic alcohol drinking behaviors are at in-creased risk of developing alcohol-related problems, including alcohol use disorder (AUD). The Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (PIT)effect has been studied as a key behavioral mechanism in under-standing the development and maintenance of AUD. PIT examine show Pavlovian conditioned cues influence instrumental behaviors aimed at obtaining rewards or avoiding punishments. While prior research by our group showed enhanced PIT in high-risk drinkers, the role of cannabis use, despite its frequent comorbidity in young adults, has not yet been explore.The sample included 182 young men tested at 18 (baseline) and 21(follow-up) years, with 117 retained at follow-up. At both time points, participants underwent the PIT paradigm and were interviewed regarding their alcohol and cannabis use. According to WHO, high-risk drinkers were defined by consuming over 60 g of pure alcohol per occasion in the past year, while low-risk drinkers consumed less.Cannabis use was assessed based on the frequency of consumption in the previous year. To investigate whether comorbid cannabis use could further amplify the already observed stronger PIT effects in high- versus low-risk drinkers, a linear model was calculated. Cannabis use at follow-up was predicted using a Cumulative Link Mixed Model.The linear model revealed that comorbid cannabis use did not amplify the PIT effect in high- versus low-risk drinkers. Higher baseline cannabis use was significantly associated with increased canna-bis use at follow-up (β = 0.617, SE = −1.297, z = −2.27, p = 0.00037). Additionally, PIT effects at baseline were linked to higher cannabis use at follow-up (β = 1.798, SE = 1.798, z = 1.99, p = 0.04714). Low-risk drinkers exhibited lower cannabis use at follow-up than high-risk drinkers (β = −1.297, SE = −1.297, x = −2.27, p = 0.02315). The inter-action between drinking groups and baseline cannabis use was not significant. The results suggest that PIT effects may predict the maintenance of cannabis use in young adults with comorbid cannabis and alcohol use. Given that PIT has been identified as a key mechanism in AUD, these findings highlight the need for further research to investigate the association between PIT and AUD in other substances, including substance use disorders

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)163-164
Number of pages2
JournalAlcohol : Clinical and Experimental Research
Volume49
Issue numberSuppl 1
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

Conference

Title48th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Research-Society-on-Alcoholism & 2025 Congress of the International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism
Abbreviated title2025 ISBRA-RSA Congress on Alcohol and Addictions
Duration21 - 25 June 2025
LocationHyatt Regency New Orleans
CityNew Orleans
CountryUnited States of America

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0001-5398-5569/work/203814403

Keywords