Cortical thickness and intrinsic activity changes in middle-aged men with alcohol use disorder

Previous studies reported the alterations of brain structure or function in people with alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, a multi-modal approach combining structural and functional studies is essential to understanding the neural mechanisms of AUD. Hence, we examined regional differences in cortical thickness (CT) and amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) in patients with AUD.

Thirty male patients with AUD and thirty age- and education-matched healthy male controls were recruited. High-resolution anatomical and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) data were collected, and the CT and ALFF were computed.

Behaviorally, males with AUD showed a cognitive decline in multiple domains. Structurally, they presented prominent reductions in CT in the bilateral temporal, insular, precentral, and dorsolateral prefrontal gyri (p < 0.05, voxel-wise family-wise error [FWE]). Functionally, a significant decrease in ALFF in the bilateral temporal, dorsolateral prefrontal, insular, putamen, cerebellum, right precuneus, mid-cingulate, and precentral gyri were observed (p < 0.05, FWE).

Our findings demonstrate the dual alterations of alcohol-related brain structure and function in male patients with AUD. These results may be useful in understanding the neural mechanisms in AUD.