ABSTRACT
AIMS: This study's purpose was to identify the neural substrates and mechanisms responsible for craving among subjects with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). METHODS: Alcohol abusers with AUD (n = 9) and demographically similar non-abusers (n = 9) participated in this study. After given 5 cc of alcohol, subjects were exposed to different types of stimuli [i.e. alcohol, non-alcoholic beverage, and visual control pictures and one rest (cross-hair)]. Craving levels were rated through self-report on a Likert scale immediately after the presentation of visual cues. RESULTS: Brain activations in the fusiform gyri, temporal gyri, parahippocampal gyrus, uncus, frontal gyri, and precuneus were correlated with the level of craving among subjects with AUD in response to alcohol cues. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, specific brain regions were identified that are associated with craving among subjects with AUD.
Subject(s)
Alcoholism/physiopathology , Alcoholism/psychology , Brain/physiopathology , Cues , Adult , Alcohol Drinking/psychology , Data Interpretation, Statistical , Female , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Photic Stimulation , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Smoking/psychologyABSTRACT
This study aimed to investigate the hypothesis that a transient increase in oxygen level administered to subjects increases the BOLD effect in brain regions associated with verbal cognitive functioning and enhances performance accuracy. A verbal task was presented while brain images were scanned by a 3T fMRI system. The accuracy rate on the verbal task was enhanced during 30% oxygen administration compared to 21% oxygen administration. The neural activations were observed at the occipital, parietal, temporal and frontal lobes, during both 21% and 30% oxygen administration. Increased brain activations were observed in the right middle frontal gyrus, right inferior frontal gyrus, right superior frontal gyrus, cingulate gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, and left fusiform gyrus with 30% oxygen administration. These results suggest that a higher concentration of breathed oxygen increases saturation of blood oxygen in the brain, and facilitates verbal cognitive performance.
