Suchergebnisse

This article describes an ongoing mindfulness group offered as part of an intensive sociotherapeutic programme for men with personality difficulties, all of whom are subject to Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA). A mindfulness group was incorporated into the programme following service user feedback and has been creatively adapted to suit this complex client group. Attention is drawn to the flexible and trauma-focused nature of the group which offers tailored opportunities to develop an appreciation of the mind−body connection. Insight obtained through this service innovation is shared to inform future applications of mindfulness approaches to therapeutic intervention and risk management in the community.

Abstract

Aims
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is linked to hyperactivity of brain stress systems, leading to withdrawal states which drive relapse. AUD differs among the sexes, as men are more likely to have AUD than women, but women progress from casual use to binge and heavy alcohol use more quickly and are more likely to relapse into repetitive episodes of heavy drinking. In alcohol dependence animal models of AUD, the central amygdala (CeA) functions as a hub of stress and anxiety processing and gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic signaling within the CeA is involved in dependence-induced increases in alcohol consumption. We have shown dysregulation of CeA GABAergic synaptic signaling in alcohol dependence animal models, but previous studies have exclusively used males.


Methods
Here, we used whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology to examine basal CeA GABAergic spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSC) and the effects of acute alcohol in both naïve and alcohol dependent rats of both sexes.


Results
We found that sIPSC kinetics differ between females and males, as well as between naïve and alcohol-dependent animals, with naïve females having the fastest current kinetics. Additionally, we find differences in baseline current kinetics across estrous cycle stages. In contrast to the increase in sIPSC frequency routinely found in males, acute alcohol (11–88 mM) had no effect on sIPSCs in naïve females, however the highest concentration of alcohol increased sIPSC frequency in dependent females.


Conclusion
These results provide important insight into sex differences in CeA neuronal function and dysregulation with alcohol dependence and highlight the need for sex-specific considerations in the development of effective AUD treatment.