title: Neuroscience of attentional processes for addiction medicine: from brain mechanisms to practical considerations.
abstract: The present chapter first argues how having a goal for procuring alcohol or other substances leads to the development of a time-binding, dynamic, and goal oriented motivational state termed current concern, as the origin of substance-related attentional bias. Next, it discusses the importance of attentional bias in the development, continuation of, and relapsing to substance abuse. It further proceeds with a review of selective evidence from cognitive psychology that helps account for making decisions about using an addictive substance or refraining from using it. A discussion on the various brain loci that are involved in attentional bias and other kinds of cue reactivity is followed by presenting findings from neurocognitive research. Finally, from an interdisciplinary perspective, the chapter presents new trends and ideas that can be applied to addiction-related cognitive measurement and training.
authors.affiliation: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran; Bangor University, Bangor, UK; Addiction Research Centre, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Electronic address: j.s.fadardi@um.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Javad Salehi
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Fadardi
authors.affiliation: Bangor University, Bangor, UK.
authors.forename: W Miles
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.affiliation: Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Arash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rahmani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology*; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation / Q000502:physiology*; D009488:Neurosciences; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: Attention retraining; Attentional bias; Brain; Current concern; Implicit cognition; Motivation; Technology