Working memory in context: The role of alcohol distractors in working memory performance in low to heavy alcohol drinkers doi.org/10.1111/acer...

Findings suggest age of onset matters: increased DMN and thalamic connectivity in adults may be due to developmental differences, not alcohol alone. Including control groups without alcohol exposure is crucial for disentangling these effects. Further research needed!

Adolescent-onset heavy drinking alters default mode network connectivity, highlighting age and exposure as key factors in alcohol-related brain changes.

The study shows that adolescence is a period when alcohol use may alter brain connectivity. High adolescent alcohol intake increased Default Mode Network (DMN) connectivity, potentially affecting self-referential processing and withdrawal susceptibility.

Another publication led by Karis Colyer-Patel in Behavioral Brain Research on the role of age! The paper shows how age of onset and severity of alcohol use may influence resting-state brain connectivity.
doi.org/10.1016/j.bb...

These findings highlight that leveraging psychological strategies using accessible online interventions can be effective in reducing cannabis use. More research is needed, but this offers a promising step toward self-guided support for users aiming to cut down.

Participants who set goals using the SMART (specific, measurable, appealing, realistic, timebound) approach in combination with mental contrasting with implementation intentions (envisioning the successful achievement of a goal) were most likely to reach their reduction goals.

New publication led by @emesekroon.bsky.social in Drug and Alcohol Dependence! The study implemented a two-week online program to help people reduce their cannabis use on their own using goal setting and mental strategies. doi.org/10.1016/j.dr...
#Cannabis #DigitalIntervention

Our team was also represented at this year's @ecnp.eu conference in Amsterdam in October with multiple posters and e-posters! Topics ranged from cognition and cannabis use disorder to resting-state connectivity and alcohol use, as well as social contexts and peer feedback and the role of age.

Our team was also represented at the Dutch Neuroscience Meeting! PhD Candidates Karis Colyer-Patel and Sofie van Koppen gave updates on their latest projects focusing specifically on the roles of age during a symposium organised by Karis and Prof. Dr. Hanan El Marroun!

Our team recently moved from the Clinical Psychology team to Brain and Cognition team at the @erasmusuniversity.bsky.social !

nofaresearch.com/en/uncategor...

The role of sex in the association between cannabis use disorder and resting-state functional connectivity - Neuropsychopharmacology Neuropsychopharmacology - The role of sex in the association between cannabis use disorder and resting-state functional connectivity

#ThisWeekInNPP

This paper from @jcousijn.bsky.social & team found that heavier cannabis use and earlier onset correlated with ⬆️ resting-state functional 🧠 connectivity, while CUD severity was linked to ⬆️ anterior salience network connectivity in ♂️ only

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

The award ceremony was followed by drinks at the "Eregalerij" ("Gallery of Honour") where the team gathered to congratulate Janna while being surrounded by paintings from Dutch master painters.

Janna Cousijn | Ammodo Science Award 2025 Janna Cousijn is one of the laureates of the Ammodo Science Award for fundamental research 2025. Read more about her research Credits Production company: Mals…

As part of the award ceremony, a video portret has been made where Janna further explains the importance of not only assessing risk factors, but also looking at resilience when it comes to social factors and substance use: vimeo.com/1078357165

Janna's research on "social plasticity" — the brain’s ability to adapt to its social environment — explains why many young people who use cannabis can quit without treatment once they find themselves in a drug-free environment.

doi.org/10.1016/S235...

@jcousijn.bsky.social received the Ammodo Science Award for Social Sciences at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam for her innovative approach to addiction research!

www.eur.nl/nieuws/ammod...

High doses of CBD may acutely ease anxiety, while CBD+THC combinations can reduce withdrawal in substance use disorders and improve sleep. However, THC may have adverse effects and worsen certain conditions like psychosis in high doses. Caution is essential! #MentalHealth #CannabisResearch

Publication alert! Nora de Bode et al. wrote a systematic review on medicinal cannabis use for mental health. The take-aways? See this thread 🧵 and read the paper here: doi.org/10.1016/j.cp...

Welcome to the Bluesky of the Neuroscience of Addiction (NofA) lab. As a team, we study how the brain in interaction with the environment shapes trajectories of substance use and addiction. Follow us for updates from the team and research!