Methadone-induced Damage to White Matter Integrity in Methadone Maintenance Patients: A Longitudinal Self-control DTI Study

• DOI: 10.1038/srep19662
• Publication Date: 2016-01-22T10:09:22Z
• Authors: Wei Li; Qiang Li; Yarong Wang; Jia Zhu; Jianjun Ye; Xuejiao Yan; Yongbin Li; Jiajie Chen; Jierong Liu; Zhe Li; Wei Wang; Yijun Liu
• Keywords: Superior longitudinal fasciculus; External capsule; Corona radiata (embryology); Fasciculus

Abstract Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) can induce impairments in brain function and structure, despite its clinical effectiveness. However, the effect of chronic MMT on white matter (WM) is not fully known. Thirty-three patients underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) twice – at start study (Scan 1 ) one year later 2 ). Tract-based spatial statistics were used to investigate changes fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD) radial (RD) between two scans. The correlations DTI indices methadone consumption neuropsychological status analysed. We found significantly decreased FA, AD increased RD Scan extensive WM regions; overlapping regions left posterior limb retrolenticular part internal capsule, superior corona radiata, bilateral external capsule right longitudinal fasciculus. In addition, change FA was positively correlated with accumulated dosage use, value non-planning impulsiveness (NPI) measured follow-up. results suggest that has damaging effects integrity. dose-dependent pattern characteristics impairment may new strategies for MMT.