Increased spontaneous activity of the superior frontal gyrus with reduced functional connectivity to visual attention areas and cerebellum in male smokers

Abstract

BackgroundChronic smokers have abnormal spontaneous regional activity and disrupted functional connectivity as revealed by previous neuroimaging studies. Combining different dimensions of resting-state functional indicators may help us learn more about the neuropathological mechanisms of smoking.MethodsThe amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF) of 86 male smokers and 56 male non-smokers were first calculated. Brain regions that displayed significant differences in ALFF between two groups were selected as seeds for further functional connectivity analysis. Besides, we examined correlations between brain areas with abnormal activity and smoking measurements.ResultsIncreased ALFF in left superior frontal gyrus (SFG), left medial superior frontal gyrus (mSFG) and middle frontal gyrus (MFG) as well as decreased ALFF in right calcarine sulcus were observed in smokers compared with non-smokers. In the seed-based functional connectivity analysis, smokers showed attenuated functional connectivity with left SFG in left precuneus, left fusiform gyrus, left lingual gyrus, left cerebellum 4 5 and cerebellum 6 as well as lower functional connectivity with left mSGF in left fusiform gyrus, left lingual gyrus, left parahippocampal gyrus (PHG), left calcarine sulcus, left cerebellum 4 5, cerebellum 6 and cerebellum 8 (GRF corrected, Pvoxel < 0.005, Pcluster<0.05). Furthermore, attenuated functional connectivity with left mSGF in left lingual gyrus and PHG displayed a negative correlation with FTND scores (r = −0.308, p = 0.004; r = −0.326, p = 0.002 Bonferroni corrected).ConclusionOur findings of increased ALFF in SFG with reduced functional connectivity to visual attention areas and cerebellum subregions may shed new light on the pathophysiology of smoking.

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“…This may contribute to the dysfunction associated with chronic smokers. 36 During our study, we noticed a notable decrease in FC within the L-Cbe6 region among individuals with HM. We hypothesize that HM could lead to impaired functioning in the L-Cbe6, potentially causing difficulties in movement, balance, and posture in individuals with HM.…”

Unraveling Neural Complexity: Exploring Brain Entropy to Yield Mechanistic Insight in Neuromodulation Therapies for Tobacco Use Disorder

“…(Rose et al, 2011) showed in a small study of 15 participants that excitatory stimulation to SFG resulted in immediate reductions in self-reported craving and reductions in craving due to neutral cues. Two previous studies showed that in people who smoke, SFG demonstrated higher levels of spontaneous activity (Niu et al, 2023) and lower resting functional connectivity (Zhou et al, 2017) relative to controls.…”