Resting-state connectivity and network parameter analysis in alcohol-dependent males. A simultaneous EEG-MEG study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Brain Imaging
• Network Analysis

Background:

• Alcohol dependence is linked to brain structural and functional changes.
• Neuroimaging and psychophysiological studies reveal alterations in functional connectivity (FC) during alcohol dependence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate brain functional connectivity (FC) and network characteristics in individuals with alcohol dependence during a resting state.
• To identify specific alterations in brain networks associated with alcohol dependence.

Main Methods:

• Simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) were recorded from alcohol-dependent males (N=25) and healthy controls (N=23) during a 5-minute resting state.
• Functional connectivity (FC) was computed using the leakage-corrected phase locking value (ciPLV).
• Local (degree, efficiency, clustering) and global (efficiency, characteristic path length) network parameters were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Alcohol-dependent individuals exhibited increased phase-lagged synchronization in the high beta band, particularly between frontal and frontotemporal regions.
• A decrease in interhemispheric gamma band synchronization was observed in the alcohol-dependent group.
• Network analysis revealed higher local efficiency, degree, and clustering at frontal nodes in the high beta band for the alcohol-dependent group, with decreased measures at posterior sites.

Conclusions:

• Increased beta-band and decreased gamma-band synchronization may indicate altered interhemispheric communication and potential compensatory mechanisms in alcohol dependence.
• Local network alterations in communication patterns are evident in alcohol-dependent individuals.
• These findings highlight specific neurophysiological markers associated with alcohol dependence.