The characteristics of exogenous motivational inhibition and endogenous intentional inhibition in heroin addicts

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the characteristics of exogenous motivational inhibition (i.e., suppressing impulsive behavior based on external cues) and endogenous intentional inhibition (i.e., suppressing impulsive behavior based on internal decisions) in individuals addicted to heroin. In Experiment 1, both the addicted group and the control group were asked to perform a free-choice Oddball task, which involved standard stimuli, deviation stimuli, and freely chosen stimuli. Behavioral data were recorded during the task. The results showed that the addicted group exhibited greater reaction time delays when performing the free-choice tasks. In Experiment 2, electroencephalogram techniques were used to analyze the temporal dynamics of their responses. The results indicated that, in the forced-choice tasks, the addicted group demonstrated lower accuracy rates and smaller P3 amplitudes.