Changes in resting-state brain function in chronic alcohol users based on degree centrality.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neuroimaging
• Addiction Research

Background:

• Chronic alcohol consumption is a significant public health concern with known neurological consequences.
• Understanding the impact on brain functional connectivity is crucial for developing targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of chronic alcohol consumption on brain functional connectivity.
• To analyze differences in degree centrality among light-to-moderate drinkers, heavy drinkers, and healthy controls.
• To explore correlations between brain connectivity, cognitive function, and alcohol consumption patterns.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 23 light-to-moderate drinkers, 25 heavy drinkers, and 29 healthy controls (aged 40-60).
• Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) was employed.
• Degree centrality analysis was utilized to assess brain functional network differences and relationships.

Main Results:

• Heavy drinkers exhibited reduced degree centrality in the left inferior temporal gyrus compared to healthy controls.
• Significant reductions in degree centrality were also observed in the left inferior temporal gyrus and left middle occipital gyrus in heavy drinkers versus light-to-moderate drinkers.
• Degree centrality in these regions negatively correlated with drinking frequency and alcoholism screening scores, and positively with cognitive scores.

Conclusions:

• Heavy alcohol intake markedly disrupts brain functional networks.
• Findings suggest a significant link between impaired brain connectivity, cognitive deficits, and alcohol use severity.
• These results may guide future research on early interventions for chronic alcohol users to preserve brain function.