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Rice LC, Langan MT, Cheng DT, Sheu YS, Peterburs J, Hua J, Qin Q, Rilee JJ, Faulkner ML, Mathena JR, Munro CA, Wand GS, McCaul ME, Desmond JE. Disrupted executive cerebro-cerebellar functional connectivity in alcohol use disorder. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 48:33-47. [PMID: 38206281 PMCID: PMC10784638 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol use disorder (AUD) affects 283 million people worldwide and its prevalence is increasing. Despite the role of the cerebellum in executive control and its sensitivity to alcohol, few studies have assessed its involvement in AUD-relevant functional networks. The goal of this study is to compare resting-state functional connectivity (FC) patterns in abstinent adults with a history of AUD and controls (CTL). We hypothesized that group differences in cerebro-cerebellar FC would be present, particularly within the frontoparietal/executive control network (FPN). METHODS Twenty-eight participants completed a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) study. CTL participants had no history of AUD, comorbid psychological conditions, or recent heavy drinking and/or drug use. AUD participants had a history of AUD, with sobriety for at least 30 days prior to data collection. Multivariate pattern analysis, an agnostic, whole-brain approach, was used to identify regions with significant differences in FC between groups. Seed-based analyses were then conducted to determine the directionality and extent of these FC differences. Associations between FC strength and executive function were assessed using correlations with Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) performance. RESULTS There were significant group differences in FC in nodes of the FPN, ventral attention network, and default mode network. Post hoc analyses predominantly identified FC differences within the cerebro-cerebellar FPN, with AUD showing significantly less FC within the FPN. In AUD, FC strength between FPN clusters identified in the multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) analysis (Left Crus II, Right Frontal Cortex) was positively associated with performance on the WCST. CONCLUSIONS Our results show less engagement of the FPN in individuals with AUD than in CTL. FC strength within this network was positively associated with performance on the WCST. These findings suggest that long-term heavy drinking alters cerebro-cerebellar FC, particularly within networks that are involved in executive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C. Rice
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Yi-Shin Sheu
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jutta Peterburs
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Institute for Systems Medicine & Department of Human Medicine, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jun Hua
- Neurosection, Division of MRI Research, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Qin Qin
- Neurosection, Division of MRI Research, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Gary S. Wand
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mary E. McCaul
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - John E. Desmond
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Chibaatar E, Watanabe K, Okamoto N, Orkhonselenge N, Natsuyama T, Hayakawa G, Ikenouchi A, Kakeda S, Yoshimura R. Volumetric assessment of individual thalamic nuclei in patients with drug-naïve, first-episode major depressive disorder. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1151551. [PMID: 37032922 PMCID: PMC10073419 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1151551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Despite the previous inconsistent findings of structural and functional abnormalities of the thalamus in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), the disruption of the thalamic nuclei in the pathophysiology of this disorder has not yet been adequately studied. Therefore, we investigated the volumetric changes of thalamic subregions and their nuclei in drug-naïve, first-episode MDD patients. We also investigated the association between HAM-D scores, a clinical scale frequently used to evaluate the severity of depression and thalamic nuclei volumes in MDD patients. Methods This study included 76 drug-naïve MDD patients and an equal number of healthy subjects. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were obtained using a 3T MR system and thalamic nuclei volumes were evaluated using FreeSurfer ver.7.11. The volumetric differences were compared by one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and to ensure that effects were not accounted for by other factors, age, sex, and ETICV variables were included as covariates. Results We observed significant volume reductions of the left whole thalamus (p < 0.003) and several thalamic nuclei mostly on the left side in the MDD group compared with healthy controls (HCs). Furthermore, we have revealed weak negative correlations between several thalamic nuclei volumes and HAM-D total and subscale scores. Discussion This is the first research study to investigate alterations of the various thalamic nuclei volumes in MDD patients compared with HCs. Moreover, we first analyzed the association between individual thalamic nuclei volumes and HAM-D subscale scores. Though our study may be restricted at certain levels, especially by the demographic difference between the two groups, they possibly contribute at a preliminary level to understanding the thalamic structural changes at its subregions in patients with drug-naïve, first-episode MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enkhmurun Chibaatar
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Keita Watanabe
- Open Innovation Institute, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Naomichi Okamoto
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Nasanbadrakh Orkhonselenge
- Department of Second Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Tomoya Natsuyama
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Gaku Hayakawa
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Atsuko Ikenouchi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Shingo Kakeda
- Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Japan
| | - Reiji Yoshimura
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
- *Correspondence: Reiji Yoshimura,
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Disruption of cerebellar-cortical functional connectivity predicts balance instability in alcohol use disorder. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 235:109435. [PMID: 35395501 PMCID: PMC9106918 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A neural substrate of alcohol-related instability of gait and balance is the cerebellum. Whether disruption of neural communication between cerebellar and cortical brain regions exerts an influence on ataxia in alcohol use disorder (AUD) was the focus of this study. METHODS Study groups comprised 32 abstinent AUD participants and 22 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (CTL). All participants underwent clinical screening, motor testing, and resting-state functional MR imaging analyzed for functional connectivity (FC) among 90 regions across the whole cerebrum and cerebellum. Ataxia testing quantified gait and balance with the Fregly-Graybiel Ataxia Battery conducted with and without vision. RESULTS The AUD group achieved lower scores than the CTL group on balance performance, which was disproportionately worse for eyes open than eyes closed in the AUD relative to the CTL group. Differences in ataxia were accompanied by differences in FC marked by cerebellar-frontal and cerebellar-parietal hyperconnectivity and cortico-cortical hypoconnectivity in the AUD relative to the control group. Lifetime alcohol consumption correlated significantly with AUD-related FC aberrations, which explained upwards of 69% of the AUD ataxia score variance. CONCLUSION Heavy, chronic alcohol consumption is associated with disorganized neural communication among cerebellar-cortical regions and contributes to ataxia in AUD. Ataxia, which is known to accelerate with age and be exacerbated with AUD, can threaten functional independence. Longitudinal studies are warranted to address whether extended sobriety quells ataxia and normalizes aberrant FC contributing to instability.
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Lee D, Kim W, Lee JE, Lee JH, Kim YT, Lee SK, Oh SS, Park KS, Koh SB, Kim C, Jung YC. Altered thalamic gray matter volume in firefighters with heavy alcohol use. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 229:109099. [PMID: 34813988 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol, a known addictive substance, affects the structural properties of the brain. In this study, we explored associations between alcohol use and gray matter properties among firefighters, who are often exposed to significant occupational stress. METHODS Gray matter volume (GMV) was evaluated using voxel-based morphometry in 287 male firefighters (mean age: 48.8 ± 7.7 years). Firefighters were classified into 32 never-drinkers, 162 non-heavy alcohol users, and 93 heavy alcohol users according to their alcohol consumption. GMV was compared between groups, and the correlations between GMV and alcohol use were investigated. A voxel-wise height threshold of p < 0.001 (uncorrected) was used, with small volume correction applied on cluster level. RESULTS Heavy alcohol users had lower GMV in the bilateral thalamus than non-heavy alcohol users or never-drinkers. Heavy alcohol users also showed lower GMV in the left insula, compared to other groups. The higher the alcohol consumption among firefighters, the lower the GMV of the right thalamus. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study show that heavy alcohol use has an association with lower GMV in several core regions, including the thalamus. When considering the impact of these brain regions on cognitive and behavioral control, our findings suggest a need for concern about heavy alcohol use among firefighters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deokjong Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin 16995, Republic of Korea; Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Woojin Kim
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Eun Lee
- Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Han Lee
- Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Tae Kim
- Department of Public Health, Yonsei University Graduate School, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Koo Lee
- Department of Radiology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Soo Oh
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju 26426, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Soo Park
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Institute of Health Sciences, College of Medicine, and Department of Bio & Medical Big Data, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52757, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Baek Koh
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju 26426, Republic of Korea
| | - Changsoo Kim
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; Department of Public Health, Yonsei University Graduate School, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Chul Jung
- Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
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Abdallah M, Zahr NM, Saranathan M, Honnorat N, Farrugia N, Pfefferbaum A, Sullivan EV, Chanraud S. Altered Cerebro-Cerebellar Dynamic Functional Connectivity in Alcohol Use Disorder: a Resting-State fMRI Study. THE CEREBELLUM 2021; 20:823-835. [PMID: 33655376 PMCID: PMC8413394 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-021-01241-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is widely associated with cerebellar dysfunction and altered cerebro-cerebellar functional connectivity (FC) that lead to cognitive impairments. Evidence for this association comes from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) studies that assess time-averaged measures of FC across the duration of a typical scan. This approach, however, precludes the assessment of potentially FC dynamics happening at faster timescales. In this study, using rsfMRI data, we aim at exploring cerebro-cerebellar FC dynamics in AUD patients (N = 18) and age- and sex-matched controls (N = 18). In particular, we quantified group-level differences in the temporal variability of FC between the posterior cerebellum and large-scale cognitive systems, and we investigated the role of the cerebellum in large-scale brain dynamics in terms of the temporal flexibility and integration of its regions. We found that, relative to controls, the AUD group exhibited significantly greater FC variability between the cerebellum and both the frontoparietal executive control (F1,31 = 7.01, p(FDR) = 0.028) and ventral attention (F1,31 = 7.35, p(FDR) = 0.028) networks. Moreover, the AUD group exhibited significantly less flexibility (F1,31 = 8.61, p(FDR) = 0.028) and greater integration (F1,31 = 9.11, p(FDR) = 0.028) in the cerebellum. Finally, in an exploratory analysis, we found distributed changes in the dynamics of canonical large-scale networks in AUD. Overall, this study brings evidence of AUD-related alterations in dynamic FC within major cerebro-cerebellar networks. This pattern has implications for explaining the development and maintenance of this disorder and improving our understating of the cerebellum's involvement in addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majd Abdallah
- Aquitaine Institute of Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience, UMR CNRS 5287, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Natalie M Zahr
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305-5723, USA.,Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | | | - Nicolas Honnorat
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305-5723, USA.,Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | | | - Adolf Pfefferbaum
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305-5723, USA.,Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | - Edith V Sullivan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305-5723, USA.,Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | - Sandra Chanraud
- Aquitaine Institute of Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience, UMR CNRS 5287, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France. .,Laboratory of Neuroimaging and Daily Life, EPHE, PSL, Research University, Bordeaux, France.
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