Megan M Moran-Santa Maria1, Davy C Vanderweyen2, Christopher C Camp2, Xun Zhu2,3, Sherry A McKee4, Kelly P Cosgrove4, Karen J Hartwell1,5, Kathleen T Brady1,5, Jane E Joseph2. 1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. 2. Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. 3. Department of Psychology, Shihezi University, Xinjiang, China. 4. Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. 5. Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC.
Abstract
Background: The goal of this study was to conduct a preliminary network analysis (using graph-theory measures) of intrinsic functional connectivity in adult smokers, with an exploration of sex differences in smokers. Methods: Twenty-seven adult smokers (13 males; mean age = 35) and 17 sex and age-matched controls (11 males; mean age = 35) completed a blood oxygen level-dependent resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging experiment. Data analysis involved preprocessing, creation of connectivity matrices using partial correlation, and computation of graph-theory measures using the Brain Connectivity Toolbox. Connector hubs and additional graph-theory measures were examined for differences between smokers and controls and correlations with nicotine dependence. Sex differences were examined in a priori regions of interest based on prior literature. Results: Compared to nonsmokers, connector hubs in smokers emerged primarily in limbic (parahippocampus) and salience network (cingulate cortex) regions. In addition, global influence of the right insula and left nucleus accumbens was associated with higher nicotine dependence. These trends were present in male but not female smokers. Conclusions: Network communication was altered in smokers, primarily in limbic and salience network regions. Network topology was associated with nicotine dependence in male but not female smokers in regions associated with reinforcement (nucleus accumbens) and craving (insula), consistent with the idea that male smokers are more sensitive to the reinforcing aspects of nicotine than female smokers. Implications: Identifying alterations in brain network communication in male and female smokers can help tailor future behavioral and pharmacological smoking interventions. Male smokers showed alterations in brain networks associated with the reinforcing effects of nicotine more so than females, suggesting that pharmacotherapies targeting reinforcement and craving may be more efficacious in male smokers.
Background: The goal of this study was to conduct a preliminary network analysis (using graph-theory measures) of intrinsic functional connectivity in adult smokers, with an exploration of sex differences in smokers. Methods: Twenty-seven adult smokers (13 males; mean age = 35) and 17 sex and age-matched controls (11 males; mean age = 35) completed a blood oxygen level-dependent resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging experiment. Data analysis involved preprocessing, creation of connectivity matrices using partial correlation, and computation of graph-theory measures using the Brain Connectivity Toolbox. Connector hubs and additional graph-theory measures were examined for differences between smokers and controls and correlations with nicotine dependence. Sex differences were examined in a priori regions of interest based on prior literature. Results: Compared to nonsmokers, connector hubs in smokers emerged primarily in limbic (parahippocampus) and salience network (cingulate cortex) regions. In addition, global influence of the right insula and left nucleus accumbens was associated with higher nicotine dependence. These trends were present in male but not female smokers. Conclusions: Network communication was altered in smokers, primarily in limbic and salience network regions. Network topology was associated with nicotine dependence in male but not female smokers in regions associated with reinforcement (nucleus accumbens) and craving (insula), consistent with the idea that male smokers are more sensitive to the reinforcing aspects of nicotine than female smokers. Implications: Identifying alterations in brain network communication in male and female smokers can help tailor future behavioral and pharmacological smoking interventions. Male smokers showed alterations in brain networks associated with the reinforcing effects of nicotine more so than females, suggesting that pharmacotherapies targeting reinforcement and craving may be more efficacious in male smokers.
Authors: Eric D Claus; Sara K Blaine; Francesca M Filbey; Andrew R Mayer; Kent E Hutchison Journal: Neuropsychopharmacology Date: 2013-05-24 Impact factor: 7.853
Authors: Megan M Moran-Santa Maria; Karen J Hartwell; Colleen A Hanlon; Melanie Canterberry; Todd Lematty; Max Owens; Kathleen T Brady; Mark S George Journal: Addict Biol Date: 2014-02-13 Impact factor: 4.280
Authors: Sheng Zhang; Sien Hu; Lisa M Fucito; Xingguang Luo; Carolyn M Mazure; Laszlo Zaborszky; Chiang-Shan R Li Journal: Nicotine Tob Res Date: 2017-04-01 Impact factor: 4.244
Authors: Jane E Joseph; Brandon K Vaughan; Christopher C Camp; Nathaniel L Baker; Brian J Sherman; Megan Moran-Santa Maria; Aimee McRae-Clark; Kathleen T Brady Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2019-07-19 Impact factor: 4.157