Shared network-level functional alterations across substance use disorders: A multi-level kernel density...

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Substance use disorders (SUD) are linked to altered brain function, particularly in cortico-striatal circuits.
• These circuit dysregulations may underlie impaired inhibitory control, habit formation, and reward processing in SUD.
• A systematic investigation of shared functional connectivity alterations across brain networks in various SUD is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify common resting-state functional connectivity alterations across diverse SUD (stimulant, heroin, alcohol, cannabis, nicotine).
• To investigate network-level brain changes associated with substance use disorders using meta-analysis.
• To explore substance-specific effects and the influence of drug use status on connectivity patterns.

Main Methods:

• Meta-analysis of seed-based whole-brain resting-state functional connectivity maps from individuals with SUD and healthy controls.
• Multi-level kernel density analysis to identify common dysfunctional brain networks.
• Exploratory analyses for substance-specific effects and drug use status influence.

Main Results:

• Individuals with SUD exhibited hypoconnectivity in the limbic, salience, and frontoparietal networks compared to controls.
• The default mode network showed a mixed pattern of hypo- and hyperconnectivity across studies.
• Disrupted inter-network connectivity in SUD may relate to deficient inhibitory control and craving.

Conclusions:

• Common network-level functional connectivity alterations are present across various substance use disorders.
• These disruptions are associated with impaired inhibitory control, craving, and difficulties in cessation.
• Identified network alterations offer potential targets for neuromodulation therapies, such as real-time fMRI neurofeedback.