Meta-Analysis of Structural and Functional Brain Abnormalities in Cocaine Addiction

Differential large-scale network functional connectivity in cocaine-use disorder associates with drug-use outcomes

Cocaine-use disorder (CUD) affects both structure and function of the brain. A triple network model of large-scale brain networks has been useful for identifying aberrant resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) associated with mental health disorders including addiction. The present study investigated differences between people with CUD vs. controls (CONs) and whether putative differences were associated with drug-use outcomes. Participants with CUD (n = 38) and CONs (n = 34) completed a resting functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan. Participants with CUD completed several mental health measures and participated in an 8-week, drug-use outcomes phase. A classification framework based on the triple network model was built, and triple networks (salience [SN], executive control [ECN], default mode [DMN]) and subcortical (striatum [ST], hippocampus/amygdala) regions were identified with the algorithm of group-information-guided independent components analysis (GIG-ICA) and subsequent support-vector machines. This classifier achieved 77.1% accuracy, 73.8% sensitivity, and 80.0% specificity, with an area under the curve of 0.87 for distinguishing CUD vs. CON. The two groups differed in SN-anterior DMN (aDMN) and ECN-aDMN rsFC, with the CUD group exhibiting stronger rsFC compared to CONs. They also differed in rsFC between several subcortical and triple networks, with CUD generally showing a lack of rsFC. Within the CUD group, ST-aDMN and ST-rECN rsFC were associated with differential drug-use outcomes. Exploratory results suggested SN-aDMN rsFC was associated with anxiety symptoms. These results add to the growing literature showing aberrant triple network and subcortical rsFC associated with substance use disorders. They suggest the aDMN specifically may underlie important differences between people with CUD and CONs and may be a potential target for intervention.

Structural Cerebellar and Lateral Frontoparietal Networks are altered in CUD: An SBM Analysis

Repetitive drug use results in enduring structural and functional changes in the brain. Addiction research has consistently revealed significant modifications in key brain networks related to reward, habit, salience, executive function, memory and self-regulation. Techniques like Voxel-based Morphometry have highlighted large-scale structural differences in grey matter across distinct groups. Source-based Morphometry (SBM) takes this a step further by incorporating the Independent Component Analysis to detect shared patterns of grey matter variation, all without requiring prior selection of regions of interest. However, SBM has yet to be employed in the study of structural alteration patterns related to cocaine addiction. Therefore, we performed this analysis to explore alterations in structural covariance specific to cocaine addiction. Our study involved 40 individuals diagnosed with Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD) and 40 matched healthy controls. Participants with CUD completed clinical questionnaires assessing the severity of their dependence and other relevant clinical variables. Following the adjustment for age-related effects, we observed notable disparities between groups in two structural independent components, which we identified as the structural cerebellar network and the structural lateral frontoparietal network, which display opposing trends. Specifically, the individuals with CUD exhibited a heightened contribution to the cerebellar network but simultaneously demonstrated a reduced contribution to the lateral frontoparietal network compared to the healthy controls. These findings unveil distinctive covariance patterns of neuroregulation linked with cocaine addiction, which indicates an interruption in the typical structural development in an affected lateral frontoparietal network, while suggesting an extended pattern of neuroregulation within the cerebellar network in individuals with CUD.

Oxidative and Excitatory Neurotoxic Stresses in CRISPR/Cas9-Induced Kynurenine Aminotransferase Knockout Mice: A Novel Model for Despair-Based Depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

BACKGROUNDS

Memory and emotion are especially vulnerable to psychiatric disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is linked to disruptions in serotonin (5-HT) metabolism. Over 90% of the 5-HT precursor tryptophan (Trp) is metabolized via the Trp-kynurenine (KYN) metabolic pathway, which generates a variety of bioactive molecules. Dysregulation of KYN metabolism, particularly low levels of kynurenic acid (KYNA), appears to be linked to neuropsychiatric disorders. The majority of KYNA is produced by the aadat (kat2) gene-encoded mitochondrial kynurenine aminotransferase (KAT) isotype 2. Little is known about the consequences of deleting the KYN enzyme gene.

METHODS

In CRISPR/Cas9-induced aadat knockout (kat2-/-) mice, we examined the effects on emotion, memory, motor function, Trp and its metabolite levels, enzyme activities in the plasma and urine of 8-week-old males compared to wild-type mice.

RESULTS

Transgenic mice showed more depressive-like behaviors in the forced swim test, but not in the tail suspension, anxiety, or memory tests. They also had fewer center field and corner entries, shorter walking distances, and fewer jumping counts in the open field test. Plasma metabolite levels are generally consistent with those of urine: antioxidant KYNs, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and indole-3-acetic acid levels were lower; enzyme activities in KATs, kynureninase, and monoamine oxidase/aldehyde dehydrogenase were lower, but kynurenine 3-monooxygenase was higher; and oxidative stress and excitotoxicity indices were higher. Transgenic mice displayed depression-like behavior in a learned helplessness model, emotional indifference, and motor deficits, coupled with a decrease in KYNA, a shift of Trp metabolism toward the KYN-3-hydroxykynurenine pathway, and a partial decrease in the gut microbial Trp-indole pathway metabolite.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first evidence that deleting the aadat gene induces depression-like behaviors uniquely linked to experiences of despair, which appear to be associated with excitatory neurotoxic and oxidative stresses. This may lead to the development of a double-hit preclinical model in despair-based depression, a better understanding of these complex conditions, and more effective therapeutic strategies by elucidating the relationship between Trp metabolism and PTSD pathogenesis.

Let's focus on the insula in addiction: A refined anatomical exploration of insula in severe alcohol and cocaine use disorders

BACKGROUND

Theoretical and empirical contributions have identified insula as key in addiction. However, anatomical modifications of the insula in addictive states, and their variations across substance use disorders (SUDs), remain to be specifically explored. We therefore explored the specificities and commonalities of insula gray matter (GM) alterations in severe alcohol use disorder (sAUD) and severe cocaine use disorder (sCUD).

METHODS

We explored insula GM volume through a refined parcellation in 12 subregions (six bilateral): anterior inferior cortex (AIC), anterior short gyrus, middle short gyrus, posterior short gyrus, anterior long gyrus (ALG), and posterior long gyrus (PLG). Using a linear mixed model analysis, we explored the insula volume profiles of 50 patients with sAUD, 61 patients with sCUD, and 36 healthy controls (HCs).

RESULTS

In both sAUD and sCUD, we showed overall insular lower volume with a right-sided lateralization effect, and a major volume deficit in bilateral ALG. Moreover, differences emerged across groups, with higher left AIC and PLG volume deficits in sCUD compared to sAUD and HC.

CONCLUSIONS

We offered the first joint exploration of GM insular volumes in two SUD through refined parcellation, thus unveiling the similarities and dissimilarities in volume deficit profiles. Our results bring evidence complementing prior ones suggesting the core role of the right and posterior insula in craving and interoception, two crucial processes in addiction. Left AIC and PLG group differences also show that, while insula is a region of interest in SUD, sCUD and sAUD generate distinct insular profiles, which might parallel clinical differences across SUD.

Meta-analysis of structural and functional abnormalities in behavioral addictions

BACKGROUND

The incidence of behavioral addictions (BAs) associated with scientific and technological advances has been increasing steadily. Unfortunately, a large number of studies on the structural and functional abnormalities have shown poor reproducibility, and it remains unclear whether different addictive behaviors share common underlying abnormalities. Therefore, our objective was to conduct a quantitative meta-analysis of different behavioral addictions to provide evidence-based evidence of common structural and functional changes.

METHODS

We conducted systematic searches in PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus from January 2010 to December 2023, supplementing reference lists of high-quality relevant meta-analyses and reviews, to identify eligible voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies. Using anisotropic seed-based D-Mapping (AES-SDM) meta-analysis methods, we compared brain abnormalities between BAs and healthy controls (HCs).

RESULTS

There were 11 GMV studies (287 BAs and 292 HCs) and 26 fMRI studies (577 BAs and 545 HCs) that met inclusion criteria. Compared with HCs, BAs demonstrated significant reductions in gray matter volume (GMV) in (1) right anterior cingulate gyri extending into the adjacent superior frontal gyrus, as well as in the left inferior frontal gyrus and right striatum. (2) the bilateral precuneus, right supramarginal gyrus, and right fusiform gyrus were hyperfunction; (3) the left medial cingulate gyrus extended to the superior frontal gyrus, the left inferior frontal gyrus, and right middle temporal gyrus had hypofunction.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study identified structural and functional impairments in brain regions involved in executive control, cognitive function, visual memory, and reward-driven behavior in BAs. Notably, fronto-cingulate regions may serve as common biomarkers of BAs.

Genes associated with cortical thickness alterations in behavioral addiction

Behavioral addiction (BA) is a conceptually new addictive phenotype characterized by compulsive reward-seeking behaviors despite adverse consequences. Currently, its underlying neurogenetic mechanism remains unclear. Here, this study aimed to investigate the association between cortical thickness (CTh) and genetic phenotypes in BA. We conducted a systematic search in five databases and extracted gene expression data from the Allen Human Brain Atlas. Meta-analysis of 10 studies (343 addicted individuals and 355 controls) revealed that the BA group showed thinner CTh in the precuneus, postcentral gyrus, orbital-frontal cortex, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (P < 0.005). Meta-regression showed that the CTh in the precuneus and postcentral gyrus were negatively associated with the addiction severity (P < 0.0005). More importantly, the CTh phenotype of BA was spatially correlated with the expression of 12 genes (false discovery rate [FDR] < 0.05), and the dopamine D2 receptor had the highest correlation (rho = 0.55). Gene enrichment analysis further revealed that the 12 genes were involved in the biological processes of behavior regulation and response to stimulus (FDR < 0.05). In conclusion, our findings demonstrated the thinner CTh in cognitive control-related brain areas in BA, which could be associated with the expression of genes involving dopamine metabolism and behavior regulation.

Abnormalities of brain structure and function in cervical spondylosis: a multi-modal voxel-based meta-analysis

Background

Previous neuroimaging studies have revealed structural and functional brain abnormalities in patients with cervical spondylosis (CS). However, the results are divergent and inconsistent. Therefore, the present study conducted a multi-modal meta-analysis to investigate the consistent structural and functional brain alterations in CS patients.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in five databases to retrieve relevant resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), structural MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies that measured brain functional and structural differences between CS patients and healthy controls (HCs). Separate and multimodal meta-analyses were implemented, respectively, by employing Anisotropic Effect-size Signed Differential Mapping software.

Results

13 rs-fMRI studies that used regional homogeneity, amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) and fractional ALFF, seven voxel-based morphometry (VBM) studies and one DTI study were finally included in the present research. However, no studies on surface-based morphometry (SBM) analysis were included in this research. Due to the insufficient number of SBM and DTI studies, only rs-fMRI and VBM meta-analyses were conducted. The results of rs-fMRI meta-analysis showed that compared to HCs, CS patients demonstrated decreased regional spontaneous brain activities in the right lingual gyrus, right middle temporal gyrus (MTG), left inferior parietal gyrus and right postcentral gyrus (PoCG), while increased activities in the right medial superior frontal gyrus, bilateral middle frontal gyrus and right precuneus. VBM meta-analysis detected increased GMV in the right superior temporal gyrus (STG) and right paracentral lobule (PCL), while decreased GMV in the left supplementary motor area and left MTG in CS patients. The multi-modal meta-analysis revealed increased GMV together with decreased regional spontaneous brain activity in the left PoCG, right STG and PCL among CS patients.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis revealed that compared to HCs, CS patients had significant alterations in GMV and regional spontaneous brain activity. The altered brain regions mainly included the primary visual cortex, the default mode network and the sensorimotor area, which may be associated with CS patients' symptoms of sensory deficits, blurred vision, cognitive impairment and motor dysfunction. The findings may contribute to understanding the underlying pathophysiology of brain dysfunction and provide references for early diagnosis and treatment of CS.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, CRD42022370967.

Common and Distinct Drug Cue Reactivity Patterns Associated with Cocaine and Heroin: An fMRI Meta-Analysis

Substance use and substance use disorders represent ongoing major public health crises. Specifically, the use of substances such as cocaine and heroin are responsible for over 50,000 drug related deaths combined annually. We used a comparative meta-analysis procedure to contrast activation patterns associated with cocaine and heroin cue reactivity, which may reflect substance use risk for these substances. PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for studies with within-subject whole brain analyses comparing drug to neutral cues for users of cocaine and heroin published between 1995 and 2022. A total of 18 studies were included, 9 in each subgroup. Voxel-based meta-analyses were performed using seed-based d mapping with permuted subject images (SDM-PSI) for subgroup mean analyses and a contrast meta-regression comparing the two substances. Results from our mean analysis indicated that users of heroin showed more widespread activation in the nucleus accumbens, right inferior and left middle temporal gyrus, right thalamus, and right cerebellum. Cocaine use was associated with recruitment of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during cue reactivity. Direct comparison of cue reactivity studies in heroin relative to cocaine users revealed greater activation in dopaminergic targets for users of heroin compared to users of cocaine. Differential activation patterns between substances may underlie differences in the clinical characteristics observed in users of cocaine and heroin, including seeking emotional blunting in users of heroin. More consistent research methodology is needed to provide adequate studies for stringent meta-analyses examining common and distinct neural activation patterns across substances and moderation by clinically relevant factors.

The Impact of C-3 Side Chain Modifications on Kynurenic Acid: A Behavioral Analysis of Its Analogs in the Motor Domain

The central nervous system (CNS) is the final frontier in drug delivery because of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which poses significant barriers to the access of most drugs to their targets. Kynurenic acid (KYNA), a tryptophan (Trp) metabolite, plays an important role in behavioral functions, and abnormal KYNA levels have been observed in neuropsychiatric conditions. The current challenge lies in delivering KYNA to the CNS owing to its polar side chain. Recently, C-3 side chain-modified KYNA analogs have been shown to cross the BBB; however, it is unclear whether they retain the biological functions of the parent molecule. This study examined the impact of KYNA analogs, specifically, SZR-72, SZR-104, and the newly developed SZRG-21, on behavior. The analogs were administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.), and their effects on the motor domain were compared with those of KYNA. Specifically, open-field (OF) and rotarod (RR) tests were employed to assess motor activity and skills. SZR-104 increased horizontal exploratory activity in the OF test at a dose of 0.04 μmol/4 μL, while SZR-72 decreased vertical activity at doses of 0.04 and 0.1 μmol/4 μL. In the RR test, however, neither KYNA nor its analogs showed any significant differences in motor skills at either dose. Side chain modification affects affective motor performance and exploratory behavior, as the results show for the first time. In this study, we showed that KYNA analogs alter emotional components such as motor-associated curiosity and emotions. Consequently, drug design necessitates the development of precise strategies to traverse the BBB while paying close attention to modifications in their effects on behavior.

Examination of reward processing dysfunctions in the left dorsal striatum and other brain regions among psychiatric inpatients with substance use

BACKGROUND

Substance misuse is a major public health issue and research has established attenuated reward responses to drug cues in those who misuse substances. Yet, little is known about whether the expectation of natural reinforcers engages distinct brain regions in substance misuse.

METHODS

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we delivered juice at expected and unexpected times to examine reward processing dysfunctions. We focused on the responses within the left dorsal striatum (DS) in individuals with high-risk substance use (HRU, n = 65), low-risk substance use (psychiatric controls, PC, n = 65), and healthy controls (HC, n = 65). Additionally, we investigated whether the dysfunction in reward processing within the left DS is correlated with other common psychiatric symptoms. Finally, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the whole brain to investigate other non-hypothesized brain regions.

RESULTS

Compared to HC, HRU displayed lower responses to juice delivery (i.e., reward) in the left DS (p <.05). The whole-brain analysis demonstrated that compared to HC, HRU displayed significantly lower responses to reward stimuli in various brain regions, including the bilateral caudate, temporal gyrus, left frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, and right thalamus.

LIMITATIONS

Participants were individuals with polysubstance use; therefore, we were not able to examine the effects of individual substances.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that HRU displays lower responses to reward stimuli within the left DS and other non-hypothesized brain regions. Our findings may help further elucidate reward processing dysfunctions related to substance misuse.

Default mode network aberrance in subjects of alcohol and opioid use disorders during working memory task: An exploratory EEG microstates study

Background

Aberrance in switching from default mode network (DMN) to fronto-parietal network (FPN) is proposed to underlie working memory deficits in subjects with substance use disorders, which can be studied using neuro-imaging techniques during cognitive tasks. The current study used EEG to investigate pre-stimulus microstates during the performance of Sternberg's working memory task in subjects with substance use disorders.

Methods

128-channel EEG was acquired and processed in ten age and gender-matched subjects, each with alcohol use disorder, opioid use disorder, and controls while they performed Sternberg's task. Behavioral parameters, pre-stimulus EEG microstate, and underlying sources were analyzed and compared between subjects with substance use disorders and controls.

Results

Both alcohol and opioid use disorder subjects had significantly lower accuracy (P < 0.01), while reaction times were significantly higher only in subjects of alcohol use disorder compared to controls (P < 0.01) and opioid use disorder (P < 0.01), reflecting working memory deficits of varying degrees in subjects with substance use disorders. Pre-stimulus EEG microstate revealed four topographic Maps 1-4: subjects of alcohol and opioid use disorder showing significantly lower mean duration of Map 3 (visual processing) and Map 2 (saliency and DMN switching), respectively, compared to controls (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Reduced mean durations in Map 3 and 2 in subjects of alcohol and opioid use disorder can underlie their poorer performance in Sternberg's task. Furthermore, cortical sources revealed higher activity in both groups of substance use disorders in the parahippocampal gyrus- a hub of DMN; superior and middle temporal gyri associated with impulsivity; and insula that maintains balance between executive reflective system and impulsive system. EEG microstates can be used to envisage neural underpinnings implicated for working memory deficits in subjects of alcohol and opioid use disorders, reflected by aberrant switching between neural networks and information processing mechanisms.

The cortical thickness of tricenarian cocaine users assembles features of an octogenarian brain

It has been suggested that substance use disorders could lead to accelerated biological aging, but only a few neuroimaging studies have investigated this hypothesis so far. In this cross-sectional study, structural neuroimaging was performed to measure cortical thickness (CT) in tricenarian adults with cocaine use disorder (CUD, n1  = 30) and their age-paired controls (YC, n1  = 30), and compare it with octogenarian elder controls (EC, n1  = 20). We found that CT in the right fusiform gyrus was similar between CUD and EC, thinner than the expected values of YC. We also found that regarding CT of the right inferior temporal gyrus, right inferior parietal cortex, and left superior parietal cortex, the CUD group exhibited parameters that fell in between EC and YC groups. Finally, CT of the right pars triangularis bordering with orbitofrontal gyrus, right superior temporal gyrus, and right precentral gyrus were reduced in CUD when contrasted with YC, but those areas were unrelated to CT of EC. Despite the 50-year age gap between our age groups, CT of tricenarian cocaine users assembles features of an octogenarian brain, reinforcing the accelerated aging hypothesis in CUD.

From CGRP to PACAP, VIP, and Beyond: Unraveling the Next Chapters in Migraine Treatment

Migraine is a neurovascular disorder that can be debilitating for individuals and society. Current research focuses on finding effective analgesics and management strategies for migraines by targeting specific receptors and neuropeptides. Nonetheless, newly approved calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have a 50% responder rate ranging from 27 to 71.0%, whereas CGRP receptor inhibitors have a 50% responder rate ranging from 56 to 71%. To address the need for novel therapeutic targets, researchers are exploring the potential of another secretin family peptide, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), as a ground-breaking treatment avenue for migraine. Preclinical models have revealed how PACAP affects the trigeminal system, which is implicated in headache disorders. Clinical studies have demonstrated the significance of PACAP in migraine pathophysiology; however, a few clinical trials remain inconclusive: the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide 1 receptor mAb, AMG 301 showed no benefit for migraine prevention, while the PACAP ligand mAb, Lu AG09222 significantly reduced the number of monthly migraine days over placebo in a phase 2 clinical trial. Meanwhile, another secretin family peptide vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is gaining interest as a potential new target. In light of recent advances in PACAP research, we emphasize the potential of PACAP as a promising target for migraine treatment, highlighting the significance of exploring PACAP as a member of the antimigraine armamentarium, especially for patients who do not respond to or contraindicated to anti-CGRP therapies. By updating our knowledge of PACAP and its unique contribution to migraine pathophysiology, we can pave the way for reinforcing PACAP and other secretin peptides, including VIP, as a novel treatment option for migraines.

The Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Cocaine Addiction: A Narrative Review

Cocaine addiction is a significant problem worldwide. The development of addiction involves a reward system, which consists of certain brain regions like the ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens, and prefrontal cortex. Currently, there are no approved medications for treating cocaine dependence, so researchers are actively searching for effective treatments that can impact the brain. One potential treatment under investigation is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a non-invasive method of stimulating the brain to modulate its activity. In this review, we explore the use of tDCS in treating cocaine addiction. We found nine relevant articles via a literature search, and the results indicate that applying tDCS to the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) holds promise for reducing drug cravings in individuals with cocaine addiction. The review also discusses the possible mechanisms by which tDCS works and provides recommendations for future research in this field.

Identification of key genes and therapeutic drugs for cocaine addiction using integrated bioinformatics analysis

Introduction

Cocaine is a highly addictive drug that is abused due to its excitatory effect on the central nervous system. It is critical to reveal the mechanisms of cocaine addiction and identify key genes that play an important role in addiction.

Methods

In this study, we proposed a centrality algorithm integration strategy to identify key genes in a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network constructed by deferential genes from cocaine addiction-related datasets. In order to investigate potential therapeutic drugs for cocaine addiction, a network of targeted relationships between nervous system drugs and key genes was established.

Results

Four key genes (JUN, FOS, EGR1, and IL6) were identified and well validated using CTD database correlation analysis, text mining, independent dataset analysis, and enrichment analysis methods, and they might serve as biomarkers of cocaine addiction. A total of seventeen drugs have been identified from the network of targeted relationships between nervous system drugs and key genes, of which five (disulfiram, cannabidiol, dextroamphetamine, diazepam, and melatonin) have been shown in the literature to play a role in the treatment of cocaine addiction.

Discussion

This study identified key genes and potential therapeutic drugs for cocaine addiction, which provided new ideas for the research of the mechanism of cocaine addiction.

The complexity of cortical folding is reduced in chronic cocaine users

Cocaine use is a worldwide health problem with psychiatric, somatic and socioeconomic complications, being the second most widely used illicit drug in the world. Despite several structural neuroimaging studies, the alterations in cortical morphology associated with cocaine use and addiction are still poorly understood. In this study, we compared the complexity of cortical folding (CCF), a measure that aims to summarize the convoluted structure of the cortex between patients with cocaine addiction (n = 52) and controls (n = 36), and correlated it with characteristics of addiction and impulsivity. We found that patients with cocaine addiction had greater impulsivity and showed reduced CCF in a cluster that encompassed the left insula and the supramarginal gyrus (SMG) and in one in the left medial orbitofrontal cortex. Finally, the CCF in the left medial orbitofrontal cortex was correlated with the age of onset of cocaine addiction and with attentional impulsivity. Overall, our findings suggest that chronic cocaine use is associated with changes in the cortical surface in the fronto-parieto-limbic regions that underlie emotional regulation and these changes are associated with earlier cocaine use. Future longitudinal studies are warranted to unravel the association of these changes with the diathesis for the disorder and with the chronic use of this substance.

Abnormal neuroanatomical patterns as potential diagnostic biomarkers for cocaine use disorder

Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is a global health problem with serious consequences for both individuals and society. Previous studies on abnormal anatomical patterns in CUD have mainly used voxel-based morphometry to investigate grey matter volume changes, while surface-based morphometry (SBM) has been found to provide detail information on cortical thickness (CT), surface area and cortical meancurve, which can contribute to a better understanding of structural brain changes associated with CUD. In this study, SBM was conducted to investigate abnormal neuroanatomical patterns in CUD and whether these abnormal patterns could be used as potential diagnostic biomarkers for CUD. Sixty-eight CUD individuals and 52 matched healthy controls were enrolled, and all participants performed once MRI scanning and clinical assessments. We found that CUD individuals exhibited altered morphological indicators across widespread brain regions and these abnormal anatomical alterations were significantly predictive of CUD status. Furthermore, the CT reduction of right insula was significantly associated with years of cocaine use in CUD. These findings revealed the association of abnormal anatomical patterns in specific brain regions in CUD, which further improve the understanding of CUD pathophysiology and provide the alternative diagnostic biomarkers for CUD.