Key result
Smoking links to altered limbic and salience networks, correlating with nicotine dependence in males only.
Why the study?
Does intrinsic functional brain connectivity differ between adult smokers and non-smokers, and are there sex differences?
Case-Control (n=44)
Does intrinsic functional brain connectivity differ between adult smokers and non-smokers, and are there sex differences?
Network communication is altered in smokers, with male smokers showing greater alterations in reinforcement and craving networks compared to females.
Altered limbic-salience connectivity in smokers may reflect sex-specific dependence; leaves open causal targets for cessation therapies.
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.
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Maria et al. (2017) conducted a case-control in Nicotine dependence (n=44). Smoking vs. Nonsmokers (controls) was evaluated on Differences in connector hubs and graph-theory measures of intrinsic functional connectivity. Smoking was associated with altered network communication in limbic and salience regions, and network topology correlated with nicotine dependence in male but not female smokers.