Brain substrates of craving to alcohol cues in subjects with alcohol use disorder.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Park
Mi-Sook
MS
Department of Psychology, Brain Research Institute, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea.
Sohn
Jin-Hun
JH
Suk
Ji-A
JA
Kim
Sook-Hee
SH
Sohn
Sunju
S
Sparacio
Richard
R
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003463:Cues; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology