title: Sex differences in resting state neural networks of nicotine-dependent cigarette smokers.
abstract: Although several sex differences in nicotine dependence have been identified, the neural mechanisms underlying these sex differences are not clear. The present study examines sex differences in resting-state brain activity using an arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion imaging technique. Fifty-one (31 males) sated nicotine-dependent cigarette smokers underwent perfusion functional magnetic resonance imaging during the resting state. Using functionally defined hippocampus/amygdala (HIP/AMY) seed regions, we observed sex differences in correlation strength between the HIP/AMY and the bilateral anterior insula, rostral anterior cingulate cortex, and inferior parietal lobule with females showing stronger functional coupling than males. This pattern of synchronous variations in dynamic cerebral blood flow is consistent with recent models of nicotine dependence, and as such, our findings provide a novel perspective on the neural mechanisms that may contribute to sex differences in nicotine dependence.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Electronic address: rweth@mail.med.upenn.edu.
authors: Reagan R
authors: RR
authors: Wetherill
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors: Kanchana
authors: K
authors: Jagannathan
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors: Joshua
authors: J
authors: Shin
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors: Teresa R
authors: TR
authors: Franklin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000098:blood supply / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008032:Limbic System / Q000098:blood supply / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009538:Nicotine / Q000009:adverse effects; D055420:Perfusion Imaging / Q000379:methods; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012907:Smoking / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D009538:Nicotine
keywords: Arterial spin labeling; Cerebral blood flow; Nicotine; Seed-based correlation analysis; Sex differences