Research
Neural correlates of brief intervention / neuromodulation strategies to modify craving in cannabis use
The aim of my PhD is to fully elucidate the role of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) in cognitive control, and cannabis cue-induced craving, in order to identify differences between cannabis users and controls. I will also design and implement a novel intervention to reduce craving and improve cognitive control using fNIRS neurofeedback.
These studies will be the first study ever conducted using fNIRS to observe differences between cannabis users and controls in cannabis-cue specific inhibitory control, reward processing, and craving and will identify regions of interest (ROI) for further neuromodulatory experimentation.
Combining cognitive and neuromodulatory training will lead to improved outcomes and facilitate behaviour change. The project provides an opportunity to improve our understanding of the psychological mechanisms underlying cannabis dependence and provision of an individualised clinical intervention for cannabis dependence.