Alteration of functional connectivity of caudate nucleus in heroin-dependent individuals-a resting state fMRI study
10.3724/SP.J.1008.2013.00969
- Author:
Yu-Fang HUANG
1
Author Information
1. Department of Radiology, No. 422 Hospital of PLA
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Caudate nucleus;
Functional magnetic resonance imaging;
Heroin dependence;
Resting state
- From:
Academic Journal of Second Military Medical University
2013;34(9):969-973
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the resting-state abnormalities of heroin addiction by analyzing resting-state functional connectivity of the caudate nucleus. Methods Fifteen male chronic heroin users and 15 age-, gender- and nicotine dependence-matched healthy subjects participated in the present resting-state functional connectivity analysis. All the participants undertook a resting-state fMRI scan with GE 3. 0 T scanner and the obtained data were analyzed by Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) software. Functional connectivity was analyzed based on resting-state fMRI data to identify the correlation between the caudate and the other regions on the whole brain scale by SPM. Finally, t-test was applied to determine the functional connectivity of the caudate between the two groups. The relationship between the connectivity of specific regions and heroin-dependence period was investigated. Results Compared with the healthy control group, the caudate of heroin-dependent group had significantly enhanced functional connectivities with the lentiform nucleus, amygdala, hippocampus (t = 2. 8, P<0. O05;voxel>5) and significantly decreased functional connectivity with the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (t = 2. 8, P<0. 005). Besides, the functional connectivity between the caudate and left amygdala r=0. 68, P<0. 05) and right hippocampus r=0. 59, P<0. 05) was positively correlated with the duration of heroin use. Conclusion The resting functional connectivities of the brain regions for rewarding, memory and motivation/drive are increased after heroin dependence, and those of the cognitive control region are decreased, which might be related to heroin dependence.
