The ReCoDe addiction research consortium: Losing and regaining control over drug intake—Findings and future perspectives
Authors: Spanagel Rainer , Bach Patrick , Banaschewski Tobias , Beck Anne , Bermpohl Felix , Bernardi Rick E. , Beste Christian , Deserno Lorenz , Durstewitz Daniel , Ebner‐Priemer Ulrich , Endrass Tanja , Ersche Karen D. , Feld Gordon , Gerchen Martin Fungisai , Gerlach Björn , Goschke Thomas , Hansson Anita Christiane , Heim Christine , Kiebel Stefan , Kiefer Falk , Kirsch Peter , Kirschbaum Clemens , Koppe Georgia , Lenz Bernd , Liu Shuyan , Marxen Michael , Meinhardt Marcus W. , Meyer‐Lindenberg Andreas , Montag Christiane , Müller Christian P. , Nagel Wolfgang E. , Oliveria Ana M. M. , Owald David , Pilhatsch Maximilian , Priller Josef , Rapp Michael A. , Reichert Markus , Ripke Stephan , Ritter Kerstin , Romanczuk‐Seiferth Nina , Schlagenhauf Florian , Schwarz Emanuel , Schwöbel Sarah , Smolka Michael N. , Soekadar Surjo R. , Sommer Wolfgang H. , Stock Ann‐Kathrin , Ströhle Andreas , Tost Heike , Vollstädt‐Klein Sabine , Walter Henrik , Waschke Tina , Witt Stephanie H. , Heinz Andreas ,   Other members of the ReCoDe Consortium
Published: July 2024

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are seen as a continuum ranging from goal‐directed and hedonic drug use to loss of control over drug intake with aversive consequences for mental and physical health and social functioning. The main goals of our interdisciplinary German collaborative research centre on Losing and Regaining Control over Drug Intake (ReCoDe) are (i) to study triggers (drug cues, stressors, drug priming) and modifying factors (age, gender, physical activity, cognitive functions, childhood adversity, social factors, such as loneliness and social contact/interaction) that longitudinally modulate the trajectories of losing and regaining control over drug consumption under real‐life conditions. (ii) To study underlying behavioural, cognitive and neurobiological mechanisms of disease trajectories and drug‐related behaviours and (iii) to provide non‐invasive mechanism‐based interventions. These goals are achieved by: (A) using innovative mHealth (mobile health) tools to longitudinally monitor the effects of triggers and modifying factors on drug consumption patterns in real life in a cohort of 900 patients with alcohol use disorder. This approach will be complemented by animal models of addiction with 24/7 automated behavioural monitoring across an entire disease trajectory; i.e. from a naïve state to a drug‐taking state to an addiction or resilience‐like state. (B) The identification and, if applicable, computational modelling of key molecular, neurobiological and psychological mechanisms (e.g., reduced cognitive flexibility) mediating the effects of such triggers and modifying factors on disease trajectories. (C) Developing and testing non‐invasive interventions (e.g., Just‐In‐Time‐Adaptive‐Interventions (JITAIs), various non‐invasive brain stimulations (NIBS), individualized physical activity) that specifically target the underlying mechanisms for regaining control over drug intake. Here, we will report on the most important results of the first funding period and outline our future research strategy.