Brain dynamic functional connectivity between default mode network and executive control network by resting state functional MRI in patients with alcohol use disorder / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the changes of dynamic functional connectivity between the default mode network (DMN) and executive control network (ECN) in the resting state in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD).Methods:From September 2018 to June 2019, 23 cases of AUD group and 24 cases of healthy control (HC) group matched with age, gender, education level and handedness were collected at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University. Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Michigan alcoholism screening test (MAST) were performed in all subjects for cognition and alcohol dependence score. All the subjects underwent T 1WI-3D structural imaging and resting state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) examination. Group spatial independent component analysis (ICA) was used to select the independent components of DMN and ECN. Then dynamic changes in the functional connectivity between the DMN and the DMN were obtained by sliding window approach and clustering method. Finally, the independent sample t test was used to compare the difference of general clinical data between the two groups, the linear correlation analysis was conducted in the parameter value and MMSE and MAST scores. Results:Compared with the HC group, the static functional connectivity analysis showed that the precuneus and posterior cingulate gyrus of the DMN were enhanced in the AUD group ( P=0.016, t=2.496). The DMN and ECN functional connectivity showed four different brain activity states, the proportion of state1 increased by 6.81% and state2 decreased by 6.83% in the AUD group, state3 and state4 were relatively stable. In state1, the internal functional connectivity of the DMN in the AUD group was enhanced, while the functional connectivity between DMN and ECN was mainly enhanced. In state2, the internal functional connectivity of the ECN was enhanced, and the connectivity between the DMN and ECN was mainly weakened. The mean dwell of state2 in the AUD group was negatively correlated with the MAST score ( r=-0.433, P=0.039). Conclusions:Dynamic functional connectivity patterns between DMN and ECN have been changed in patients with AUD. Dynamic functional connectivity can reveal transient changes in brain activity, which can provide certain imaging evidence for finding changes in AUD deep brain activity.