title: Neuroelectrophysiological approaches in heroin addiction research: A review of literatures.
abstract: Neuroelectrophysiological properties have been used in human heroin addiction studies. These studies vary in their approach, experimental conditions, paradigms, and outcomes. However, it is essential to integrate previous findings and experimental methods for a better demonstration of current issues and challenges in designing such studies. This Review examines methodologies and experimental conditions of neuroelectrophysiological research among heroin addicts during withdrawal, abstinence, and methadone maintenance treatment and presents the findings. The results show decrements in attentional processing and dysfunctions in brain response inhibition as well as brain activity abnormalities induced by chronic heroin abuse. Chronic heroin addiction causes increased β and α2 power activity, latency of P300 and P600, and diminished P300 and P600 amplitude. Findings confirm that electroencephalography (EEG) band power and coherence are associated with craving indices and heroin abuse history. First symptoms of withdrawal can be seen in high-frequency EEG bands, and the severity of these symptoms is associated with brain functional connectivity. EEG spectral changes and event-related potential (ERP) properties have been shown to be associated with abstinence length and tend to normalize within 3-6 months of abstinence. From the conflicting criteria and confounding effects in neuroelectrophysiological studies, the authors suggest a comprehensive longitudinal study with a multimethod approach for monitoring EEG and ERP attributes of heroin addicts from early stages of withdrawal until long-term abstinence to control the confounding effects, such as nicotine abuse and other comorbid and premorbid conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.|Centre for Innovation in Medical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.|Centre of Addiction Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Farid
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Motlagh
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.|Centre for Innovation in Medical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Fatimah
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: J Michael
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Menke
authors.affiliation: Centre of Addiction Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Rusdi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rashid
authors.affiliation: Centre of Addiction Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Tahereh
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Seghatoleslam
authors.affiliation: Centre of Addiction Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Hussain
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Habil
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000379:methods*; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: EEG; ERP; brain signals; cognitive dysfunction; methadone; opioids