Cognitive functions in substance-related and addictive disorders

Abstract

Despite the availability of treatments such as medications and cognitive behavioural therapy, relapse remains high in substance-related and addictive disorders. Cognitive functions, including cognitive biases and executive functions, are significant predictors of relapse. Alleviating cognitive deficits is therefore promising to suppress craving and decrease relapse. Transcranial current stimulation holds potential to improve cognitive functioning in these patients. This chapter provides an overview of the use of transcranial current stimulation to modulate cognitive functions in substance-related and addictive disorders. We show that transcranial current stimulation can decrease cognitive biases and improve executive functions across various substance-related and addictive disorders, especially regarding decision-making and when targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex bilaterally. We also discuss the relationship between cognitive functions and several processes, such as craving, mood, and stress, which should be taken into account when developing future transcranial current stimulation protocols. Finally, we provide suggestions as to how future studies could be improved to better treat patients with these debilitating disorders.