Li et Al. 2013 (Contemporary Study)(3) Flashcards
What was the aim of Li’s contemporary study?
Li sought to investigate the involvement of the brain structure (PCC) posterior cingulate cortex in heroin dependence.
What does the PCC do?
The PCC is responsible for activating in the presence of drug related tasks
What is the difference in PCC activity in drug addicts and controls?
PCC activation in drug addicts is abnormally strong and its a sign of brain dysfunction and addiction
What was involved in scan 1 in the Li Contemporary study?
In scan 1 each participant had a structural MRI scan to identify standard anatomical areas.
What was involved in scan 2 in the Li Contemporary study?
In scan 2 a 5 minute resting state fMRI scan took place. Participants had to stare at a cross hair and remain still.
What was involved in scan 3 in the Li Contemporary study?
In scan 3 a 490 second task where images of drug and non drug imagery was played 24 images of each type.a
Before and after testing people had to rate cravings from 1-10
What were the findings on the craving scores?
Addicts had significantly higher craving score rises than the controls with an average rise of 2.2 to 3.21
What were the strengthens of the Li study?
-standardisation (same images - time per image - scan)
What were the weaknesses of the Li study?
- procedures were inadequate (small sample size)
- confounding variable (nicotine is a multiplier of the affect and all involved were smokers)
Application of Li’s study?
Brain injury of heroin adicts can be found using fMRI scans.
Who was in Li’s Contemporary studies sample?
- All right handed
- All men
- aged 25-47
- 15 in each group
Conclusions of Li’s Contemporary study?
- The PCC is linked to addiction
- The damage to the brain limits the individuals reaction to eternal stimuli
