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Sexual Differences in Addictions and Dual Disorders: Importance in Gender...
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Sexual Differences in Addictions and Dual Disorders: Importance in Gender Perspective

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Psychiatric Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2022) | Viewed by 19577

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Fernando Rodriguez de Fonseca

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Guest Editor
Department of Psychobiology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Interests: Addiction; Dual Disorder; Neuroscience; Biomarker
Dr. Gonzalo Haro

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Guest Editor
Department of Medicine & Surgery, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 12006 Castellón, Spain
Interests: psychiatry; addiction; dual disorder; neuroscience; genetics
Dr. Ana Benito

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Medicine & Surgery, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities - 12006 Castellón, Spain
Interests: Psychology; Addiction; Dual Disorder; Neuroscience; Gender Differences

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

Basic, preclinical and clinical research has shown the presence of biological differences between the sexes from the beginning of embryonic development and throughout the entire lifecycle. This dimorphism affects health, protective or vulnerability factors, social and relational life, the search for treatment, and responses to therapeutic interventions. However, studies of addiction and dual diagnosis continue to be carried out mainly in male patients. This prevents obtaining knowledge on the specific characteristics and needs of women. A first step to improve this knowledge is to update the sex and gender differences found in research into addiction and dual disorders.

We will accept original research articles, critical and systematic reviews, meta-analyses, research notes and short communications about sex and gender differences in addiction and dual disorders: preclinical and clinical models; genetic background; neurobiological, psychological, and social mechanisms; vulnerability factors; biomarkers; social and developmental factors; diagnosis and diagnostic instruments; clinical presentation; response to existing pharmacological and psychological therapies; unmet research, diagnosis and treatment needs; and gender perspectives.

Prof. Dr. Fernando Rodriguez de Fonseca
Dr. Gonzalo Haro
Dr. Ana Benito
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Brain Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sexual differences
  • addiction
  • dual disorder
  • gender differences
  • neurosciences

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review, Other

3 pages, 212 KiB  
Editorial
Sexual Differences in Addictions and Dual Disorders: Importance of Gender Perspective
by Ana Benito, Fernando Rodríguez de Fonseca and Gonzalo Haro
Brain Sci. 2022, 12(10), 1346; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12101346 - 04 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1108
Abstract
Sex (the biological attributes of females and males) and gender (socially constructed roles, behaviours, and identities) both affect molecular and cellular processes, protective and vulnerability factors, social and relational life [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Differences in Addictions and Dual Disorders: Importance in Gender Perspective)

Research

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17 pages, 740 KiB  
Article
Sex Differences in Plasma Lysophosphatidic Acid Species in Patients with Alcohol and Cocaine Use Disorders
by María Flores-López, Nuria García-Marchena, Pedro Araos, Nerea Requena-Ocaña, Oscar Porras-Perales, Sandra Torres-Galván, Juan Suarez, Nieves Pizarro, Rafael de la Torre, Gabriel Rubio, Juan Jesús Ruiz-Ruiz, Fernando Rodríguez de Fonseca, Antonia Serrano and Francisco Javier Pavón-Morón
Brain Sci. 2022, 12(5), 588; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12050588 - 30 Apr 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1832
Abstract
Preclinical evidence suggests a main role of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling in drug addiction. Recently, we reported alterations in the plasma concentrations of LPA species in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). As there are sex differences in drug addiction, the main aim [...] Read more.
Preclinical evidence suggests a main role of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling in drug addiction. Recently, we reported alterations in the plasma concentrations of LPA species in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). As there are sex differences in drug addiction, the main aim of the present study was to investigate whether relevant LPA species (16:0-LPA, 18:0-LPA, 18:1-LPA, 18:2-LPA and 20:4-LPA) were associated with sex and/or substance use disorder (SUD). This exploratory study was conducted in 214 abstinent patients with lifetime SUD, and 91 healthy control subjects. The SUD group was divided according to the diagnosis of AUD and/or cocaine use disorder (CUD). Participants were clinically assessed, and plasma samples were collected to determine LPA species and total LPA. We found that LPA concentrations were significantly affected by sex, and women showed higher concentrations than men. In addition, there were significantly lower 16:0-LPA, 18:2-LPA and total LPA concentrations in patients with SUD than in controls. Namely, patients with CUD and AUD + CUD showed lower LPA concentrations than controls or patients with AUD. In conclusion, our data suggest that LPA species could be potential biomarkers for SUD in women and men, which could contribute to a better stratification of these patients in treatment programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Differences in Addictions and Dual Disorders: Importance in Gender Perspective)
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Review

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14 pages, 516 KiB  
Review
Sex Differences in Substance Use, Prevalence, Pharmacological Therapy, and Mental Health in Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
by Francisca Castellano-García, Ana Benito, Antonio Jovani, Alejandro Fuertes-Sáiz, María Isabel Marí-Sanmillán and Gonzalo Haro
Brain Sci. 2022, 12(5), 590; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12050590 - 02 May 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4526
Abstract
Sex differences are poorly studied within the field of mental health, even though there is evidence of disparities (with respect to brain anatomy, activation patterns, and neurochemistry, etc.) that can significantly influence the etiology and course of mental disorders. The objective of this [...] Read more.
Sex differences are poorly studied within the field of mental health, even though there is evidence of disparities (with respect to brain anatomy, activation patterns, and neurochemistry, etc.) that can significantly influence the etiology and course of mental disorders. The objective of this work was to review sex differences in adolescents (aged 13–18 years) diagnosed with ADHD (according to the DSM-IV, DSM-IV-TR and DSM-5 criteria) in terms of substance use disorder (SUD), prevalence, pharmacological therapy and mental health. We searched three academic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) and performed a narrative review of a total of 21 articles. The main conclusions of this research were (1) girls with ADHD are more at risk of substance use than boys, although there was no consensus on the prevalence of dual disorders; (2) girls are less frequently treated because of underdiagnosis and because they are more often inattentive and thereby show less disruptive behavior; (3) together with increased impairment in cognitive and executive functioning in girls, the aforementioned could be related to greater substance use and poorer functioning, especially in terms of more self-injurious behavior; and (4) early diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, especially in adolescent girls, is essential to prevent early substance use, the development of SUD, and suicidal behavior. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Differences in Addictions and Dual Disorders: Importance in Gender Perspective)
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21 pages, 738 KiB  
Review
Gender Differences in Dual Diagnoses Associated with Cannabis Use: A Review
by Laura Prieto-Arenas, Ignacio Díaz and M. Carmen Arenas
Brain Sci. 2022, 12(3), 388; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12030388 - 15 Mar 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2509
Abstract
Gender differences in psychiatric disorders and drug use are well known. Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug among young people. In recent years, its use has been related to the development of psychiatric pathologies; however, few studies have incorporated the gender [...] Read more.
Gender differences in psychiatric disorders and drug use are well known. Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug among young people. In recent years, its use has been related to the development of psychiatric pathologies; however, few studies have incorporated the gender perspective as of yet. The present work analyses the literature to determine the existence of gender differences in the development of psychotic, depressive and anxious symptoms associated with cannabis use. First, we describe cannabis misuse and its consequences, paying special attention to adolescent subjects. Second, the main gender differences in psychiatric disorders, such as psychosis, depression, anxiety and cannabis use disorders, are enumerated. Subsequently, we discuss the studies that have evaluated gender differences in the association between cannabis use and the appearance of psychotic, depressive and anxious symptoms; moreover, we consider the possible explanations for the identified gender differences. In conclusion, the studies referred to in this review reveal the existence of gender differences in psychiatric symptoms associated with cannabis use, although the direction of such differences is not always clear. Future research is necessary to discern the causal relationship between cannabis use and the development of psychiatric symptoms, as well as the gender differences found. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Differences in Addictions and Dual Disorders: Importance in Gender Perspective)

Other

21 pages, 8576 KiB  
Systematic Review
Substance Use in the Transgender Population: A Meta-Analysis
by Miriam Cotaina, Marc Peraire, Mireia Boscá, Iván Echeverria, Ana Benito and Gonzalo Haro
Brain Sci. 2022, 12(3), 366; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12030366 - 10 Mar 2022
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 5707
Abstract
(1) Background: This meta-analysis aimed to assess the relationship between identifying as transgender and substance use. (2) Methods: We searched for relevant studies in PubMed, Scopus, the Web of Science, and PsycINFO on 21 July 2021. (3) Results: Twenty studies comparing transgender and [...] Read more.
(1) Background: This meta-analysis aimed to assess the relationship between identifying as transgender and substance use. (2) Methods: We searched for relevant studies in PubMed, Scopus, the Web of Science, and PsycINFO on 21 July 2021. (3) Results: Twenty studies comparing transgender and cisgender people were included in this work, accounting for a total of 2,376,951 participants (18,329 of whom were transgender). These articles included data on current tobacco use, current tobacco use disorder, current alcohol use, current alcohol use disorder, lifetime substance (all) use, current substance use (excluding tobacco and alcohol), current use of specific substances (excluding tobacco and alcohol and including cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, ecstasy, stimulants, heroin, opiates, cannabis, marijuana, LSD, hallucinogens, steroids, inhalants, sedatives, Ritalin or Adderall, diet pills, cold medicine, prescription medications, polysubstance, other club drugs, and other illegal drugs), and current substance use disorder (excluding tobacco and alcohol). We used the ORs and their 95% CIs to state the association between identifying as transgender and those variables. The control reference category used in all cases was cisgender. We employed a random-effects model. Transgender people were more likely to use tobacco (odds ratio (OR) = 1.65; 95% CI [1.37, 1.98]), have used substances throughout their lives (OR = 1.48; 95% CI [1.30, 1.68]), and present current use of specific substances (OR = 1.79; 95% CI [1.54, 2.07]). When current alcohol and substance use in general and tobacco, alcohol, and substance use disorders specifically were considered, the likelihood did not differ from that of cisgender people. (4) Conclusions: The presence of substance use disorders did not differ between transgender and cisgender people. Considering this population as consumers or as addicted may be a prejudice that perpetuates stigma. Nonetheless, transgender people were more likely to use tobacco and other substances, but not alcohol. Hypothetically, this might be an emotional regulation strategy, a maladaptive mechanism for coping with traumatic experiences, or could respond to minority stress, produced by stigma, prejudice, discrimination, and harassment. It is of particular importance to implement policies against discrimination and stigmatisation and to adapt prevention and treatment services so that they are inclusive of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Differences in Addictions and Dual Disorders: Importance in Gender Perspective)
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4 pages, 231 KiB  
Perspective
Gender Perspective in Dual Diagnosis
by Marta Torrens-Melich, Teresa Orengo, Fernando Rodríguez de Fonseca, Isabel Almodóvar, Abel Baquero and Ana Benito
Brain Sci. 2021, 11(8), 1101; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11081101 - 21 Aug 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2965
Abstract
Little data are available for women diagnosed with a dual diagnosis. However, dual diagnosis in women presents increased stigma, social penalties, and barriers to access to treatment than it does for men. Indeed, it increases the probability of suffering physical or sexual abuse, [...] Read more.
Little data are available for women diagnosed with a dual diagnosis. However, dual diagnosis in women presents increased stigma, social penalties, and barriers to access to treatment than it does for men. Indeed, it increases the probability of suffering physical or sexual abuse, violent victimization, gender-based violence, unemployment, social exclusion, social-role problems, and physical and psychiatric comorbidities. Thus, a transversal sex and gender-based perspective is required to adequately study and treat dual diagnosis. For this, sex and gender factors should be included in every scientific analysis; professionals should review their own prejudices and stereotypes and train themselves specifically from a gender perspective; administrations should design and provide specific treatment resources for women; and we could all contribute to a structural social transformation that goes beyond gender mandates and norms and reduces the risk of abuse and violence inflicted on women. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Differences in Addictions and Dual Disorders: Importance in Gender Perspective)
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