Striatal resting-state connectivity after long-term diacetylmorphine treatment in opioid-dependent patients

• DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcac275
• Publication Date: 2022-10-26T20:07:14Z
• Authors: Anna-Chiara Schaub; Marc Vogel; Sophie Baumgartner; Undine E Lang; Stefan Borgwardt; André Schmidt; Marc Walter
• Keywords: Putamen; Caudate nucleus

New treatment approaches for opioid-dependent patients include injectable opioid agonist with diacetylmorphine. While evidence has shown beneficial clinical effects of diacetylmorphine, it is still not clear how long-term diacetylmorphine affects the brain and whether functional changes are accompanied by improvements. Therefore, this prospective case-control study focuses on resting-state connectivity. We included (N = 22, age range 33-58, 16 males) treated healthy controls 9, 27-55, 5 that underwent two MRI assessments approximately nine years apart. For patients, took part shortly after intake to be able explore in connectivity regions related stage binge intoxication (caudate, putamen, nucleus accumbens). A cluster right superior frontal gyrus was detected, showing over an increase originating from left caudate accumbens but controls. These were duration at follow-up, indicating smaller increases longer (r 0.63, P < 0.01). results suggest fronto-striatal connections, effect linked duration. Future research needs further address wide-ranging functioning deepen understanding their relevance.