Computational mechanisms underlying multi-step planning deficits in methamphetamine use disorder

Abstract Current theories suggest individuals with methamphetamine use disorder (iMUDs) have difficulty considering long-term outcomes in decision-making, which could contribute to risk of relapse. Aversive interoceptive states (e.g., stress, withdrawal) are also known to increase this risk. The pre...

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Main Authors: Claire A. Lavalley, Marishka M. Mehta, Samuel Taylor, Anne E. Chuning, Jennifer L. Stewart, Quentin J. M. Huys, Sahib S. Khalsa, Martin P. Paulus, Ryan Smith
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2025-05-01
Series:Translational Psychiatry
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-025-03390-8
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author Claire A. Lavalley
Marishka M. Mehta
Samuel Taylor
Anne E. Chuning
Jennifer L. Stewart
Quentin J. M. Huys
Sahib S. Khalsa
Martin P. Paulus
Ryan Smith
author_facet Claire A. Lavalley
Marishka M. Mehta
Samuel Taylor
Anne E. Chuning
Jennifer L. Stewart
Quentin J. M. Huys
Sahib S. Khalsa
Martin P. Paulus
Ryan Smith
author_sort Claire A. Lavalley
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Current theories suggest individuals with methamphetamine use disorder (iMUDs) have difficulty considering long-term outcomes in decision-making, which could contribute to risk of relapse. Aversive interoceptive states (e.g., stress, withdrawal) are also known to increase this risk. The present study analyzed computational mechanisms of planning in iMUDs, and examined the potential impact of an aversive interoceptive state induction. A group of 40 iMUDs and 49 healthy participants completed two runs of a multi-step planning task, with and without an anxiogenic breathing resistance manipulation. Computational modeling revealed that iMUDs had selective difficulty identifying the best overall plan when this required enduring negative short-term outcomes – a mechanism referred to as aversive pruning. Increases in reported craving before and after the induction also predicted greater aversive pruning in iMUDs. These results highlight aversive pruning deficits as a novel mechanism that could promote poor choice in recovering iMUDs and create vulnerability to relapse.
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spelling doaj-art-ac14c7fd45d14980b36e0508be0c85ec2025-08-20T02:29:46ZengNature Publishing GroupTranslational Psychiatry2158-31882025-05-0115111210.1038/s41398-025-03390-8Computational mechanisms underlying multi-step planning deficits in methamphetamine use disorderClaire A. Lavalley0Marishka M. Mehta1Samuel Taylor2Anne E. Chuning3Jennifer L. Stewart4Quentin J. M. Huys5Sahib S. Khalsa6Martin P. Paulus7Ryan Smith8Laureate Institute for Brain ResearchLaureate Institute for Brain ResearchLaureate Institute for Brain ResearchLaureate Institute for Brain ResearchLaureate Institute for Brain ResearchDivision of Psychiatry and Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, Department of Imaging Neuroscience, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College LondonLaureate Institute for Brain ResearchLaureate Institute for Brain ResearchLaureate Institute for Brain ResearchAbstract Current theories suggest individuals with methamphetamine use disorder (iMUDs) have difficulty considering long-term outcomes in decision-making, which could contribute to risk of relapse. Aversive interoceptive states (e.g., stress, withdrawal) are also known to increase this risk. The present study analyzed computational mechanisms of planning in iMUDs, and examined the potential impact of an aversive interoceptive state induction. A group of 40 iMUDs and 49 healthy participants completed two runs of a multi-step planning task, with and without an anxiogenic breathing resistance manipulation. Computational modeling revealed that iMUDs had selective difficulty identifying the best overall plan when this required enduring negative short-term outcomes – a mechanism referred to as aversive pruning. Increases in reported craving before and after the induction also predicted greater aversive pruning in iMUDs. These results highlight aversive pruning deficits as a novel mechanism that could promote poor choice in recovering iMUDs and create vulnerability to relapse.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-025-03390-8
spellingShingle Claire A. Lavalley
Marishka M. Mehta
Samuel Taylor
Anne E. Chuning
Jennifer L. Stewart
Quentin J. M. Huys
Sahib S. Khalsa
Martin P. Paulus
Ryan Smith
Computational mechanisms underlying multi-step planning deficits in methamphetamine use disorder
Translational Psychiatry
title Computational mechanisms underlying multi-step planning deficits in methamphetamine use disorder
title_full Computational mechanisms underlying multi-step planning deficits in methamphetamine use disorder
title_fullStr Computational mechanisms underlying multi-step planning deficits in methamphetamine use disorder
title_full_unstemmed Computational mechanisms underlying multi-step planning deficits in methamphetamine use disorder
title_short Computational mechanisms underlying multi-step planning deficits in methamphetamine use disorder
title_sort computational mechanisms underlying multi step planning deficits in methamphetamine use disorder
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-025-03390-8
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