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Frontal and cingulate gray matter volume reduction in heroin dependence: Optimized voxel‐based morphometry
Author(s) -
Liu Haihong,
Hao Yihui,
Kaneko Yoshio,
Ouyang Xuan,
Zhang Yan,
Xu Lin,
Xue Zhimin,
Liu Zhening
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
psychiatry and clinical neurosciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.609
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1440-1819
pISSN - 1323-1316
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1819.2009.01989.x
Subject(s) - voxel based morphometry , gray (unit) , voxel , grey matter , psychology , neuroscience , medicine , nuclear medicine , white matter , magnetic resonance imaging , radiology
Aims: Repeated exposure to heroin, a typical opiate, causes neuronal adaptation and may result in anatomical changes in specific brain regions, particularly the frontal and limbic cortices. The volume changes of gray matter (GM) of these brain regions, however, have not been identified in heroin addiction. Methods: Using structural magnetic resonance imaging and an optimized voxel‐based morphometry approach, the GM volume difference between 15 Chinese heroin‐dependent and 15 healthy subjects was tested. Results: Compared to healthy subjects, the heroin‐dependent subjects had reduced GM volume in the right prefrontal cortex, left supplementary motor cortex and bilateral cingulate cortices. Conclusion: Frontal and cingulate atrophy may be involved in the neuropathology of heroin dependence.