Neurobiological and neuropsychological approaches to investigate the potential mechanism of action of chess as an add-on therapy (chess based - cognitive remediation treatment, CB-CRT) to reduce cognitive deficits in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) or tobacco use disorder (TUD).

The study aims to investigate the potential mechanism of action of chess as a "chess based - cognitive remediation treatment, CB-CRT" to reduce cognitive deficits in individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) seeking treatment using neurobiological and neuropsychological approaches. Furthermore, it will be assessed whether this chess intervention has a generalized positive effect on short-term abstinence. Interestingly, the functional domains and associated underlying neuronal networks observed to be affected in individuals with SUD overlap significantly with those that could be strengthened by chess-based cognitive training or formal chess. Specifically, strengthening of cortical control regions (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, DLPFC) and brain areas relevant for decision-making (orbitofrontal cortex, OFC) could prevent future relapse. Therefore, chess as an add-on therapy to complement other standard treatments of SUD could lead to improved therapeutic outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• severe alcohol (AUD) or tabacco use disorder (SUD) according to DSM-5
• abstinence from alcohol for at least 72 hours (AUD)
• sufficient ability to communicate with investigators and answer questions in both written and verbal format
• ability to provide fully informed consent and to use self-rating scales
• main diagnosis AUD: inpatient or outpatient treatment in our clinic
• main diagnosis TUD: participation in 6 weeks smoking cessation treatment
• Normal or corrected to normal vision
• Signed consents for data security

Exclusion Criteria:

• severe internal, neurological, and/or psychiatric comorbidities; other Axis I mental disorders other than TUD according to ICD-10 and DSM 5 (except for other substance use disorders - if AUD or TUD is still the main diagnosis -, ADHD, remitted depression, mild or moderate depression, adjustment disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, panic disorder or other mild or moderate personality disorders) in the last 12 months
• Severe withdrawal symptoms (CIWA-Ar > 7; Sullivan et al. 1989)
• alcohol intoxication (>0‰)
• history of brain injury
• severe cognitive impairments
• common exclusion criteria for MRI (e.g. metal, claustrophobia, pregnancy)
• suicidality or endangerment of others
• positive Covid-19 screening

For protection of personal rights, and due to the sensitivity of the clinical and neuroimaging data, data will not be made publicly available. Upon direct request by other researchers and in mutual agreements (e.g., regarding data protection), anonymized data can be made available. Upon request, analysis procedures and codes will be shared with other researchers.

After publication

Upon request by researchers or institution following the current data protection laws.