title: Resting-state Abnormalities in Heroin-dependent Individuals.
abstract: Drug addiction is a major health problem worldwide. Recent neuroimaging studies have shed light into the underlying mechanisms of drug addiction as well as its consequences to the human brain. The most vulnerable, to heroin addiction, brain regions have been reported to be specific prefrontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal regions, as well as, some subcortical regions. The brain regions involved are usually linked with reward, motivation/drive, memory/learning, inhibition as well as emotional control and seem to form circuits that interact with each other. So, along with neuroimaging studies, recent advances in resting-state dynamics might allow further assessments upon the multilayer complexity of addiction. In the current manuscript, we comprehensively review and discuss existing resting-state neuroimaging findings classified into three overlapping and interconnected groups: functional connectivity alterations, structural deficits and abnormal topological properties. Moreover, behavioral traits of heroin-addicted individuals as well as the limitations of the currently available studies are also reviewed. Finally, in need of a contemporary therapy a multimodal therapeutic approach is suggested using classical treatment practices along with current neurotechonologies, such as neurofeedback and goal-oriented video-games.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience of Cognition and Affection Group, Laboratory of Medical Physics, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. Electronic address: npandria@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Niki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pandria
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Medical School, Thessaloniki, Greece. Electronic address: kovatsi@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Leda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kovatsi
authors.affiliation: Cognitive Psychology and Neuropsychology Lab, Department of Psychology, City College, The University of Sheffield International Faculty, Thessaloniki, Greece. Electronic address: vivas@city.academic.gr.
authors.forename: Ana B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Vivas
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience of Cognition and Affection Group, Laboratory of Medical Physics, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. Electronic address: bamidis@med.auth.gr.
authors.forename: Panagiotis D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Bamidis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003932:Heroin / Q000494:pharmacology; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D009294:Narcotics / Q000494:pharmacology; D012146:Rest
chemical_list: D009294:Narcotics; D003932:Heroin
keywords: behavioral traits of heroin-dependent individuals; functional and structural connectivity; heroin addiction; resting-state; small-world properties