Reduced Left Executive Control Network Functional Connectivity Is Associated with Alcohol Use Disorders

Abstract

Background Altered functional connectivity in critical networks has been associated with chronic alcohol abuse. In turn, changes in connectivity in executive control networks may undermine the ability to control alcohol consumption. It was hypothesized that network connectivity would be reduced in individuals with problematic alcohol use (ALC) compared to controls and that diminished network connectivity would be associated with greater failure to control drinking. Methods Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging was analyzed to identify fourteen previously identified intrinsic connectivity networks (ICNs) using a priori regions of interest in cases ranging from binge drinkers to those with severe alcohol use disorder, as well as control subjects. Analyses tested for differences in network connectivity strength between 255 ALC cases and 87 age- and gender-matched controls. Further, structural equation analysis, using 383 ALC cases, tested whether functional connectivity strength mediated the relationship between years of regular drinking and alcohol problems. Results The age- and gender-matched analysis showed that ALC had significantly lower network connectivity strength than controls in the left executive control (LECN), basal ganglia (BG) and primary visual (PV) networks. For all ALC, LECN connectivity strength in negatively correlated with failed control and alcohol disorder severity. Edges connecting parietal regions with dorsolateral prefrontal, middle frontal and temporal regions within the LECN drove these relationships. A positive association between years of drinking and severity of alcohol problems was mediated by reduced executive control network connectivity. Conclusions This study reports relationships between network strength and problematic alcohol use, suggesting that chronic drinking negatively impacts brain connectivity, specifically in the left executive control network. Altered functional connectivity, related to chronic alcohol abuse, may contribute to the etiology of alcohol dependence and relapse.

Naltrexone ameliorates functional network abnormalities in alcohol‐dependent individuals

“…Reduced neural functional connectivity has been previously demonstrated in this group, particularly of the left executive control network (including parietal, dorsolateral and medial prefrontal cortex), i.e. associated with impaired behavioural control and alcohol use severity (Weiland et al 2014). Furthermore, in young adults at high risk for AD, enhanced task‐related functional connectivity among nucleus accumbens, sensorimotor cortex and precuneus has been associated with alcohol use severity (Weiland et al 2014).…”

“…associated with impaired behavioural control and alcohol use severity (Weiland et al 2014). Furthermore, in young adults at high risk for AD, enhanced task‐related functional connectivity among nucleus accumbens, sensorimotor cortex and precuneus has been associated with alcohol use severity (Weiland et al 2014). These findings suggest a reduced baseline state and hyperactive task‐related connectivity of particular nodes may relate to more severe alcohol use.…”

Imaging the Addicted Brain

“…Findings of this study may reflect progressive adaptive mechanisms allowing abstinent alcoholics to inhibit and successfully stop behaviors that may lead to substance use. Weiland et al (2014) explored the association between alcohol userelated problems and resting-state FC in individuals ranging from binge drinkers to nonabstinent individuals with severe AUD. They chose to utilize 14 previously identified intrinsic connectivity networks (Shirer, Ryali, Rykhlevskaia, Menon, & Greicius, 2012) comprising a priori ROI that encompass the majority of the cortical and subcortical GM and can be mapped to common cognitive/motor functions (Fig.…”

Alterations of resting state functional network connectivity in the brain of nicotine and alcohol users

“…We hypothesize that different patterns of FC exist depending on drinking, smoking or combined drinking and smoking. Based on previous research we expect to see decreased connectivity associated with reward, executive control, default mode and visual brain areas in alcohol users (Camchong et al, 2012; Chanraud et al, 2011; Weiland et al, 2014). With respect to nicotine use, both increases and decreases in connectivity effects are anticipated for cingulated cortex, precuneus, and executive function areas (Pariyadath et al, 2014).…”

“…Decreased resting state connectivity within reward, visual and executive control brain regions successfully predicts relapse in abstinent alcoholics, further evidence of the importance of examining FC (Camchong et al, 2012). A decrease of FC in executive control, sensorimotor, visual and subcortical was found in alcoholics when compared to controls (Weiland et al, 2014). Results from all these studies lead to the proposal of a “disconnection syndrome” which can be involved in the deficient behavioral control related to alcohol use disorder (Dupuy and Chanraud, 2016).…”