The Structure and Individual Patterns of Trait Impulsivity Across Addiction Disorders: a Network Analysis

Addiction is associated with high impulsivity. Behavioral impulsivity sets the vulnerability in addiction formation, facilitates drug use, and acts as one most important risk factors for relapse. However, the pattern of individual heterogeneity across addictive disorders for precision medicine is still unclear. We performed network-based analysis using the clinical data of trait impulsivity from 1687 subjects with stimulant and heroin use disorders, as well as Internet gaming disorder (IGD). Based on Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS) measurements, the trait impulsivity networks and individual differential impulsivity networks (IDINs) were constructed. The three types of addiction respectively accompany different core impulsivity traits. The global network strength in stimulant use disorder was significantly higher than that in other addiction types, and non-planning impulsivity connections in heroin subjects differed from the rest groups. Based on the individual differential impulsivity networks, these subjects were clustered into three types, as deviated from control subjects. The three deviation patterns were related to addiction type, age, education, and addiction duration. These findings indicated different core impulsivity traits across addictions and heterogeneity of individual trait impulsivity patterns, which supports individualized medicine in managing impulsivity.