Impaired Functional Connectivity Within and Between Frontostriatal Circuits and Its Association With Compulsive Drug Use and Trait Impulsivity in Cocaine Addiction

• DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2015.1
• Publication Date: 2015-04-08T16:31:07Z
• Authors: Yuzheng Hu; Betty Jo Salmeron; Hong Gu; Elliot A. Stein; Yihong Yang
• Keywords: Cocaine dependence; Ventromedial prefrontal cortex; Ventral striatum; Substance dependence

Converging evidence has long identified both impulsivity and compulsivity as key psychological constructs in drug addiction. Although dysregulated striatal-cortical network interactions have been cocaine addiction, the association between these brain networks addiction is poorly understood.To test hypothesis that associated with disturbances communication captured by resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC), measured from coherent spontaneous fluctuations blood oxygenation level-dependent magnetic resonance imaging signal, to explore relationships striatal rsFC, trait impulsivity, uncontrolled use addiction.A case-control, cross-sectional study was conducted at National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program outpatient facility. Data used present were collected December 8, 2005, September 30, 2011. Participants included 56 non-treatment-seeking users (CUs) (52 dependence 3 abuse) healthy individuals serving controls (HCs) matched age, sex, years of education, race, estimated intelligence, smoking status.Voxelwise statistical parametric analysis testing rsFC strength differences CUs HCs regions functionally connected 6 subregions defined a priori.Increased observed predominantly striatal-frontal circuits; decreased found striatum cingulate, striatal, temporal, hippocampal/amygdalar, insular CU group compared HCs. Increased striatal-dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex positively correlated amount recent (uncorrected P < .046) elevated .012), an index reflecting balance anterior cingulate striatal-anterior prefrontal/orbitofrontal circuits significantly loss control over (corrected .012).Cocaine disturbed several specific circuits. Specifically, compulsive use, defining characteristic dependence, increased connectivity; risk factor for consequence dorsal uniquely CUs. These findings provide new insights toward neurobiological mechanisms suggest potential novel therapeutic targets treatment.