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Updated: Jun 30, 2026
06:26
Meta-analysis of Voxel-Based Neuroimaging Studies using Seed-based d Mapping with Permutation of Subject Images (SDM-PSI)
Published on: November 27, 2019
Medial orbitofrontal cortex gray matter is reduced in abstinent substance-dependent individuals
Jody Tanabe1, Jason R Tregellas, Manish Dalwani
1Department of Radiology, University of Denver School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA. jody.tanabe@uchsc.edu
Biological Psychiatry
|September 20, 2008
Summary
Substance-dependent individuals show reduced gray matter volume in the medial orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) after prolonged abstinence. This brain change may underlie risky decision-making in addiction.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Addiction Research
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Chronic drug exposure causes brain adaptations in reward pathways.
- Medial orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) dysfunction may drive risky decisions in substance-dependent individuals (SDI).
- This study investigated gray matter (GM) volume differences in the medial OFC between SDI and controls.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis of reduced medial OFC GM volume in SDI compared to controls.
- To explore the relationship between medial OFC GM volume and decision-making behavior.
Main Methods:
- Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analyzed MRI scans from 19 SDI and 20 controls.
- Analyses controlled for global GM volume and age, with statistical maps corrected for multiple comparisons.
- Medial OFC GM volume was correlated with performance on a modified gambling task.
Main Results:
- SDI exhibited significantly lower bilateral medial OFC GM volume compared to controls.
- A significant correlation was found between medial OFC GM volume and persistent high-risk gambling behavior.
Conclusions:
- This study, using VBM with whole-brain correction in abstinent SDI, is the first of its kind.
- Reduced medial OFC GM volume may represent long-term adaptations in the reward-learning circuit.
- These adaptations could contribute to pathological decision-making in substance dependence.
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