Altered Brain Dynamics in Heavy Smokers Revealed by Dynamic Functional Network Connectivity Analysis
Xianxin Qiu1,2, Guangyao Wu3,4, Yan Kang2,5
1College of Medicine and Health Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443000, China.
Brain Topography
|January 24, 2026
Summary
Heavy smokers show altered brain connectivity dynamics, with reduced time spent in specific brain states linked to default mode and sensory networks. These changes correlate with smoking duration, offering insights into addiction mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Addiction Research
- Functional Neuroimaging
Background:
- Cigarette smoking is linked to altered brain functional connectivity.
- Investigating dynamic connectivity may reveal neural mechanisms of smoking addiction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore dynamic functional network connectivity characteristics in heavy smokers.
- To identify differences in brain states and their temporal properties between smokers and non-smokers.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of resting-state fMRI data from 34 heavy smokers and 36 non-smokers.
- Group independent component analysis and sliding window with k-means clustering to identify four brain states.
- Comparison of temporal properties of brain states and correlation with smoking factors.
Main Results:
- Heavy smokers had lower occurrence and dwell time in state 2 (default mode network synchrony) and reduced dwell time in state 3 (sensory domain connectivity).
- Cognitive control and cerebellar networks were implicated in altered subnetworks.
- Smoking duration negatively correlated with state 2 occurrence in heavy smokers.
Conclusions:
- Dynamic functional connectivity alterations are associated with smoking addiction.
- Findings provide a new framework for understanding temporal and network-level brain dysfunctions in smokers.
- Offers potential for developing targeted treatments and preventive strategies for smoking addiction.
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