GABRA2 rs279858-linked variants are associated with disrupted structural connectome of reward circuits in heroin abusers

• DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0180-0
• Publication Date: 2018-07-30T15:35:28Z
• Authors: Yan Sun; Yang Zhang; Dai Zhang; Suhua Chang; Rixing Jing; Weihua Yue; Lin Lu; Dong Chen; Yankun Sun; Yong Fan; Jie Shi
• Keywords: Connectomics; Reward system; Reward dependence

Abstract The reward system plays a vital role in drug addiction. purpose of this study is to investigate the structural connectivity characteristics and driving-control subnetwork patterns circuits heroin abusers assess genetic modulation on network. We first defined network based systematic literature review, built diffusion tensor imaging data 78 (HAs) 79 healthy controls (HCs) using connectomics. Then we assessed factors that might modulate changes by performing imaging-genetic screening for 22 addiction-related polymorphisms. association was validated associations (1032 HAs 2863 HCs) expanded-variant analysis. Finally, estimated between these variations, network, clinical performance. found had widespread deficiencies circuit (center VTA-linked connections), which correlated with cognition deficiency. disruptions synchronously were shown driving control system. GABRA2 rs279858-linked variants be key modulator vulnerability affecting connections cognition. mediates effects rs279858 would disrupted These findings provide new insights into neurocircuitry mechanisms