Lower gray matter density and functional connectivity in the anterior insula in smokers compared with never smokers.

ABSTRACT: Although nicotine addiction is characterized by both structural and functional abnormalities in brain networks involved in salience and cognitive control, few studies have integrated these data to understand how these abnormalities may support addiction. This study aimed to (1) evaluate gray matter density and functional connectivity of the anterior insula in cigarette smokers and never smokers and (2) characterize how differences in these measures were related to smoking behavior. We compared structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (gray matter density via voxel-based morphometry) and seed-based functional connectivity MRI data in 16 minimally deprived smokers and 16 matched never smokers. Compared with controls, smokers had lower gray matter density in left anterior insula extending

SUBMITTER: Stoeckel LE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4654721 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature