Sexually dimorphic structural abnormalities in major connections of the medial forebrain bundle in alcoholism.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The mesocorticolimbic system is particularly susceptible to the effects of chronic alcoholism. Disruption of this system has been linked to drug seeking and the development of Reward Deficiency Syndrome, a neurobiological framework for describing the development and relapsing patterns of addictions. In this study, we evaluated the association of alcoholism and sex with major connections of the medial forebrain bundle (MFB), a prominent mesocorticolimbic fiber pathway connecting the ventral tegmental area with the basal forebrain. Given sex differences in clinical consequences of alcohol consumption, we hypothesized that alcoholic men and women would differ in structural abnormalities of the MFB.

Methods

Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) data were acquire

SUBMITTER: Rivas-Grajales AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6051309 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature