RESTING STATE FUNCTIONAL CONNECTIVITY AND ALCOHOL USE IN HEAVY DRINKING ADULTS
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abstract
Purpose: The triple network model posits that the salience network (SN), default
mode network (DMN), and central executive network (CEN), are essential in
understanding higher cognitive function and dysfunction. These networks are affected
variably across many psychiatric conditions. Previous functional magnetic resonance
imaging (fMRI) research in alcohol use disorder (AUD) has found altered functional
connectivity in the SN, DMN, and CEN, suggesting all three networks may be involved.
The current study utilizes fMRI to investigate the association between resting-state
functional connectivity in the SN, DMN, and CEN and alcohol misuse.
Methods: Fifty-two heavy drinking adults completed measures of alcohol use severity
and quantity, as well as a 7-minute resting state scan.
Results: Linear regression was used to test if connectivity was associated with past
12-month AUD symptoms and number of heavy drinking days. Results revealed that
CEN connectivity (right lateral prefrontal cortex seed co-activating with 19 clusters)
was significantly associated with AUD symptoms (b = .425, p = .003), but not heavy
drinking days. Post-hoc tests revealed six clusters co-activating with the CEN were
associated with AUD symptoms – right middle frontal gyrus, right inferior parietal
gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, left cerebellum 7b, right cerebellum 7b, and left
cerebellum 9. DMN and SN connectivity was not associated with drinking outcomes.
Conclusion: These findings illustrate that connectivity within the CEN, but not the
DMN or SN, is associated with alcohol use severity. Regarding the triple network
model, these results suggest that altered functional connectivity in heavy drinkers is
located primarily in the CEN.
