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Reduced interhemispheric executive control network coupling in men during early cocaine abstinence: A pilot study
Julie M McCarthy1, Chun S Zuo1, Justin M Shepherd2
1McLean Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, 115 Mill St., Belmont, MA 02478, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, 115 Mill St., Belmont, MA 02478, United States.
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|October 11, 2017
Summary
Early cocaine abstinence weakens executive control network (ECN) communication, increasing relapse risk. This brain connectivity deficit may be a target for addiction treatments to support sustained abstinence.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Addiction Research
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Cocaine use disorder is linked to reduced cognitive resources for abstinence.
- Impaired communication within the executive control network (ECN) increases relapse vulnerability.
- Recent cocaine use may enhance, but early abstinence may weaken, interhemispheric ECN communication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between early abstinence duration and interhemispheric ECN coupling in men with cocaine use disorder.
- To determine if cocaine metabolite levels correlate with ECN communication.
Main Methods:
- Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used in ten men with cocaine use disorder.
- Interhemispheric ECN coupling was assessed in relation to days since last cocaine use (1-3 days).
Main Results:
- Interhemispheric ECN coupling decreased with increasing days since last cocaine use.
- Weaker coupling was observed with lower urine cocaine metabolite concentrations.
- This association was more pronounced in prefrontal ECN subregions.
Conclusions:
- Resting-state interhemispheric ECN coupling weakens in the initial days of cocaine abstinence.
- Weakened ECN coupling during early abstinence may elevate relapse risk.
- Treatments targeting ECN coupling deficits could aid cocaine abstinence.
