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Brain Network Segregation is Associated with Drug Use Severity in Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|April 16, 2025
Summary
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is linked to reduced brain network segregation, especially in association networks. This brain alteration may contribute to cognitive issues and accelerated aging in individuals with OUD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Graph Theory
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Opioid use disorder (OUD) is associated with altered brain network connectivity.
- Network segregation, crucial for neural efficiency, is reduced in cognitive impairment, alcohol use disorder, and aging.
- Previous research indicates potential links between brain network organization and OUD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine brain network segregation in individuals with OUD.
- To investigate the relationship between drug use severity and network segregation.
- To explore the influence of age, cognition, and affect on network segregation in OUD.
Main Methods:
- Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used in 40 adults with OUD.
- Brain regions were grouped into 10 networks (association and sensorimotor).
- Graph theory metrics assessed network segregation; Addiction Severity Index measured drug use severity.
Main Results:
- Drug use severity significantly predicted lower segregation in association networks (fronto-parietal and salience networks).
- Age predicted lower segregation in sensorimotor networks; an interaction showed drug use severity impacted sensorimotor segregation in younger adults.
- Cognition was not related to segregation, but positive affect correlated with greater salience network segregation.
Conclusions:
- OUD is characterized by reduced brain network segregation, particularly in association networks, driven by drug use severity.
- These alterations may underlie cognitive deficits and accelerated brain aging in OUD.
- Network segregation appears stable during OUD treatment.
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