Publications by authors named "V A Ramchandani"

Impulsivity and cognitive function are essential for understanding behavioral regulation, particularly in relation to health-risk behaviors like substance use, physical activity, and academic performance. This study examined the factor structure underlying executive function in adolescents using the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale and NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery. We explored how parental monitoring moderates, and peer network health and perceived stress mediate, relationships between cognitive function and outcomes such as BMI, physical activity, and academic performance.

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Purpose: Stressful life events are associated with problematic drinking, and alcohol misuse has been exacerbated during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. While coping motives may account for this association, positive life events (PLEs) and enhancement motives are understudied. To address these gaps, we examined the associations of history of alcohol use disorder (AUD), negative life events (NLEs), and PLEs with problematic alcohol use and tested coping and enhancement motives as mediators.

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Article Synopsis
  • Alcohol and nicotine interact with the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor system, influencing reward responses and leading to increased co-use and misuse of these substances.
  • A specific genetic variation (rs16969968) in the CHRNA5 gene is strongly linked to nicotine effects, but its role in alcohol consumption is less understood.
  • In a study with 980 participants, smokers reported higher alcohol use, and those with the GG genotype consumed more alcohol than those with the AA/AG genotypes, suggesting that this genetic variant may partly protect against alcohol misuse by influencing negative expectations about drinking.
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Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is commonly associated with distressing psychological symptoms. Pathologic changes associated with AUD have been described in both the gut microbiome and brain, but the mechanisms underlying gut-brain signaling in individuals with AUD are unknown. This study examined associations among the gut microbiome, brain morphometry, and clinical symptoms in treatment-seeking individuals with AUD.

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