Impact of Alcohol-Related Video Sequences on Functional MRI in Abstinent Alcoholics

Abstract

The object of this study was the identification of brain areas that were significantly more connected than other regions with a previously identified reference region, the posterior cingulate cortex, during the presentation of visual cues in alcoholics. Alcohol-related and neutral video sequences were presented to 30 alcoholics who had been abstinent for at least 4 days. Participants underwent a psychometric assessment before and after the presentation of the video sequences. Functional MRI data were acquired. Psychophysiological interaction analyses were carried out. Participants reported a significant increase in craving and arousal after the presentation of alcohol-related video sequences. The simple contrast alcohol versus neutral was found not to be significantly different in the present study. The brain regions that were found to correlate significantly more with the posterior cingulate cortex under the alcohol-related condition were the inferior parietal lobe, the medial temporal lobe, the inferior frontal gyrus, the postcentral gyrus, and the precuneus. The involvement of these regions in processes of memory, self-control, and self-reflection with a particular focus on alcohol dependence and craving will be discussed.

Behavioural cue reactivity to alcohol-related and non-alcohol-related stimuli among individuals with alcohol use disorder: An fMRI study with a visual task

“…A recent meta-analysis of fMRI studies using alcohol cue reactivity demonstrated BOLD activation in several brain regions in AUD patients [19,20], including the PCC and precuneus. This observation suggests that PCC plays an important role in addiction and relapse [21]. When the PCC is activated by a visual stimulus, information from episodic memory is extracted and integrated with existing knowledge.…”

Longitudinal Mapping of Gyral and Sulcal Patterns of Cortical Thickness and Brain Volume Regain during Early Alcohol Abstinence

“…However, no area showed significant subcortical volume regain within the first 14 days of abstinence in ADPs. (2) In ADPs, the cortical volume recovery during the first 2 weeks of abstinence is predominantly driven by an increase in CTh. No significant longitudinal change in SA was seen either on a global or local level.…”

“…In summary, the main aims of our present study are (1) to test (with Freesurfer) which parts of the subcortical regions are affected by excessive alcohol consumption and undergo significant recovery within the first 2 weeks of abstinence in alcohol-dependent patients (ADPs); (2) to gain a deeper insight into the underlying mechanisms that contribute to dynamic cortical volumetric changes in ADPs within the first 2 weeks of abstinence [8] by examining the CTh and SA; (3) to test whether and how the pattern of gyri and sulci are differentially affected by excessive alcohol consumption, and whether the extents of recovery are different. ication in the past 3 months, positive urine drug tests, brain injury history, other neurological or severe physiological illness (e.g.…”

Behavioural cue reactivity to alcohol and non-alcohol-related stimuli among individuals with severe alcohol use disorder: an fMRI study with a visual task

“…A recent meta-analysis of fMRI studies using alcohol cue reactivity demonstrated BOLD activation in several brain regions in AUD patients [19,20], including the PCC and precuneus. This suggested that the PCC plays an important role in addiction and relapse [21]. When the PCC is activated by a visual stimulus, we extract information from our episodic memory and integrate this with existing knowledge.…”