Strong connectivity between brain networks can predict and prevent cocaine relapse

three-month mark, and of those, eight maintained abstinent at the six-month mark. Researchers found that those who relapsed at 30 days post-discharge were less educated and had a longer history of smoking than the non-relapse participants.

Researchers found that participants who didn’t relapse showed heightened connectivity between portions of the ECN and enhanced connectivity between the left ECN and portions of the SN. They also showed strong connectivity between the right ECN and the left ECN.

Of the 12 individuals who were abstinent for three-to-six months, nine returned for a follow-up scan. Researchers found that those who were abstinent at day 30 “continued to exhibit significantly enhanced connectivity” between several regions in the brain.

The study provided insight in how relapse can be predicted and prevented. Connectivity between large-scale cortical networks, which have been implicated in craving, and executive control “could serve as markers of relapse risk” and could be seen as targets for treatment.

Advertisement

An important question that was raised during the experiment was whether or not the dynamics of the ECN can be manipulated in order to affect the risk of relapse. Techniques such as stimulation of certain regions of the brain along with psychological interventions could be used to test this theory, researchers stated.

“This speaks to our earlier point that relapse is a multi-faceted construct likely involving a myriad of distinct neural circuits,” they wrote.

Ryan Beitler
Author: Ryan Beitler

An editor and contributor to Addiction Now, Ryan Beitler is a journalist, fiction writer, musician, and travel writer. He has written for Paste Magazine, OC Weekly, numerous addiction recovery publications, and his travel blog Our Little Blue Rock. He lives in Southern California. Contact Ryan at ryanrbeitler@gmail.com or ryanb@addictionnow.com.

Summary
Article Name
Strong connectivity between brain networks can predict and prevent cocaine relapse
Description
Connectivity between several networks in the brain may protect against the risk of cocaine relapse, a new study conducted by researchers from the National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the University of Texas Southwest Medical Center found.
Author
Ryan Beitler
Publisher Name
Addiction Now