Resting State Functional Connectivity and Alcohol Misuse in Heavy Drinking Adults

Abstract

Purpose: The triple network model posits that the salience network (SN), default mode network (DMN), and central executive network (CEN), are essential in understanding higher cognitive function and dysfunction. These networks are affected variably across many psychiatric conditions. Previous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) research in alcohol use disorder (AUD) has found altered functional connectivity in the SN, DMN, and CEN, suggesting all three networks may be involved. The current study utilizes fMRI to investigate the association between resting-state functional connectivity in the SN, DMN, and CEN and alcohol misuse. Methods: Fifty-two heavy drinking adults completed measures of alcohol use severity and quantity, as well as a 7-minute resting state scan. Results: Linear regression was used to test if connectivity was associated with past 12-month AUD symptoms and number of heavy drinking days. Results revealed that CEN connectivity (right lateral prefrontal cortex seed co-activating with 19 clusters) was significantly associated with AUD symptoms (b = .425, p = .003), but not heavy drinking days. Post-hoc tests revealed six clusters co-activating with the CEN were associated with AUD symptoms – right middle frontal gyrus, right inferior parietal gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, left cerebellum 7b, right cerebellum 7b, and left cerebellum 9. DMN and SN connectivity was not associated with drinking outcomes. Conclusion: These findings illustrate that connectivity within the CEN, but not the DMN or SN, is associated with alcohol use severity. Regarding the triple network model, these results suggest that altered functional connectivity in heavy drinkers is located primarily in the CEN.