Effect of conditioned stimuli-triggered memory retrieval-extinction in patients with methamphetamine use disorder

作者：Jing-Li Yue, Rujia Wang, Sijing Chen, Xiao Lin, Qing Fang, Xiaojie Guo, Yekun Sun, Kai Yuan, Yanping Bao, Jie Shi, Yan-Xue Xue, Ping Wu, Lin Lü · 发表于：Translational Psychiatry · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1038/s41398-025-03474-5 · 被引用次数：2 · 研究领域：Memory and Neural Mechanisms、Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior、Treatment of Major Depression

Methamphetamine (METH) is a widely abused stimulant that affects the central nervous system. The persistent maladaptive conditioned stimuli (CS, drug cues)-drug associative memories represent a primary factor precipitating relapse. Interfering with the reconsolidation of these memories may help disrupt and modify these maladaptive CS-drug associations, potentially reducing their influence on drug-seeking behavior. The present study explored the effect of CS-triggered memory retrieval-extinction on METH craving, potentially offering a new treatment strategy for addiction. This was a single-center, randomized, controlled trial involving individuals with METH use disorder (MUD). Participants completed one of three interventions on consecutive days (days 2 and 3): CS-triggered memory retrieval followed by extinction after a 10-min interval, CS-triggered memory retrieval followed by extinction after a 6-h interval, or extinction without prior retrieval. Self-report cue-induced craving for METH, salivary cortisol and sympathetic responses were measured at baseline (day 1), post intervention (day 4) and two follow-up timepoints (days 34 and 184), with cue-induced craving and salivary cortisol as primary outcomes. Ninety-eight MUD individuals (mean age 28.15 ± 6.31) were analyzed. After two-day’s interventions, cue-induced METH craving (time × cue interaction: F (1,94) = 60.02, p < 0.001) reduced in all groups. Results from follow-up data indicated, when the extinction was performed ...