Disrupted Default Mode Network and Basal Craving in Male Heroin-Dependent Individuals: A Resting-State fMRI Study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Craving is associated with a high probability of relapse. However, the relationship between functional connectivity in the default mode network (DMN) during resting state and basal craving of heroin-dependent individuals remains unknown.

METHODS:

Data used in the present study were collected between August 10, 2009, and June 28, 2011. Twenty-four male heroin-dependent individuals based on DSM-IV criteria and 20 male healthy control subjects participated in a study of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. The basal heroin craving of the heroin-dependent group was evaluated. The DMN networks were identified by group independent component analysis. The between-group difference in functional connectivity was analyzed, and the relationship between functional connectivity in the DMN and basal heroin craving in the heroin-dependent group was also analyzed.

RESULTS:

In all subjects, 2 spatially independent default mode subnetworks were identified: the anterior and posterior subnetworks. The anterior subnetwork, mainly the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex, showed decreased functional connectivity in the heroin-dependent group relative to the healthy control group (P < .05, familywise error corrected). However, the functional connectivity in dorsal medial prefrontal cortex was negatively correlated with the basal craving of the heroin group (P = .01, r = -0.50). No significant difference in the functional connectivity of the posterior subnetwork was found.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our findings suggest that abnormal functional connectivity within the anterior subnetwork of DMN in heroin-dependent individuals is associated with basal heroin craving, and it may serve as neural underpinnings for the mechanism of heroin addiction.

• Authors: Qiang Li, Zhe Li, Wei Li, Yi Zhang, Yarong Wang, Jia Zhu, Jiajie Chen, Yongbin Li, Xuejiao Yan, Jianjun Ye, Linbin Li, Wei Wang, Yijun Liu
• Journal: The Journal of clinical psychiatry (J Clin Psychiatry) Vol. 77 Issue 10 Pg. e1211-e1217 (Oct 2016) ISSN: 1555-2101 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 27574841 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © Copyright 2016 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.

Topics

• Adult
• Brain (diagnostic imaging, physiopathology)
• Brain Mapping
• China
• Craving (physiology)
• Cues
• Female
• Heroin Dependence (diagnostic imaging, physiopathology, psychology, rehabilitation)
• Humans
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male
• Nerve Net (diagnostic imaging, physiopathology)
• Prefrontal Cortex (diagnostic imaging, physiopathology)
• Reference Values
• Statistics as Topic