Reduced Metabolsim in Brain 'Control Networks' Following Cocaine-Cues Exposure in Female Cocaine Abusers

Journal Article · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 2011 · PLoS One

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0016573· OSTI ID:1014360

Volkow, N D; Wang, G; Volkow, N D; Tomasi, D; Wang, G -J; Fowler, J S; Telang, F; Goldstein, R Z; Alia-Klein, N; Wong, C T

Gender differences in vulnerability for cocaine addiction have been reported. Though the mechanisms are not understood, here we hypothesize that gender differences in reactivity to conditioned-cues, which contributes to relapse, are involved. To test this we compared brain metabolism (using PET and {sup 18}FDG) between female (n = 10) and male (n = 16) active cocaine abusers when they watched a neutral video (nature scenes) versus a cocaine-cues video. Self-reports of craving increased with the cocaine-cue video but responses did not differ between genders. In contrast, changes in whole brain metabolism with cocaine-cues differed by gender (p<0.05); females significantly decreased metabolism (-8.6% {+-} 10) whereas males tended to increase it (+5.5% {+-} 18). SPM analysis (Cocaine-cues vs Neutral) in females revealed decreases in frontal, cingulate and parietal cortices, thalamus and midbrain (p<0.001) whereas males showed increases in right inferior frontal gyrus (BA 44/45) (only at p<0.005). The gender-cue interaction showed greater decrements with Cocaine-cues in females than males (p<0.001) in frontal (BA 8, 9, 10), anterior cingulate (BA 24, 32), posterior cingulate (BA 23, 31), inferior parietal (BA 40) and thalamus (dorsomedial nucleus). Females showed greater brain reactivity to cocaine-cues than males but no differences in craving, suggesting that there may be gender differences in response to cues that are not linked with craving but could affect subsequent drug use. Specifically deactivation of brain regions from 'control networks' (prefrontal, cingulate, inferior parietal, thalamus) in females could increase their vulnerability to relapse since it would interfere with executive function (cognitive inhibition). This highlights the importance of gender tailored interventions for cocaine addiction.

• Research Organization: BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY (BNL)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE - OFFICE OF SCIENCE
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-98CH10886
• OSTI ID: 1014360
• Report Number(s): BNL--95039-2011-JA; KP1602010
• Journal Information: PLoS One, Journal Name: PLoS One Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 6; ISSN 1932-6203
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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2-deoxy-2[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (18FDG)
38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
BRAIN
COCAINE
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DEACTIVATION
FEMALES
FLUORODEOXYGLUCOSE
MALES
METABOLISM
PET (positron emission tomography)
POSITRON COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY
THALAMUS
VULNERABILITY
cocaine abuse: brain
gender