Gray Matter Volume Differences in Impulse Control and Addictive Disorders-An Evidence From a Sample of Heterosexual...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Radiology

Background:

• The classification of addictions and impulse control disorders is evolving.
• Direct comparisons of structural brain differences in behavioral and substance addictions are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To contrast gray matter volumes (GMVs) in individuals with compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD), gambling disorder (GD), and alcohol use disorder (AUD) compared to healthy controls (HCs).
• To identify brain regions associated with addiction severity through correlations between symptom scores and GMVs.

Main Methods:

• Voxel-based morphometry was employed to analyze brain structure using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data.
• Questionnaires assessed the severity of addiction symptoms.
• Correlations were computed between symptom severity scores and GMVs.

Main Results:

• Individuals with CSBD, GD, and AUD exhibited smaller GMVs in the left frontal pole (orbitofrontal cortex) compared to HCs.
• The most significant GMV differences were observed in the GD and AUD groups, with the least in the CSBD group.
• A negative correlation was found between GMVs and disorder severity in the CSBD group, with decreased GMVs in the right anterior cingulate gyrus linked to higher symptom severity.

Conclusions:

• Findings suggest similarities between CSBD and other addictive disorders.
• This study is the first to report smaller GMVs in CSBD, GD, and AUD patient groups.
• Future longitudinal studies are recommended to explore whether prefrontal volume decrements are vulnerability factors or develop with disorder progression.