Contemporary study bio

• Aim Of Contemporary (Li et Al)

  To investigate if PCC is activated when given drug related cues and see if activation is stronger in heroin addicts compared to controls.
• Li et al procedure

  • Experimental group of 14 male heroin users who were in a drug rehabilitation centre with mean age 35 years
  • Average previous use of heroin for 89 months and had to be heroin free
  • Control group had 15 males matched with experimental group on handedness education level and age
  • All participants were smokers, had no head trauma, psychiatric disorder and gave written informed consent
  • Scan 1 was structural to identify different brain areas
  • Scan 2 was 5 minutes resting fMRI
  • Scan 3 was fMRI that lasted 490 seconds with 24 neutral pictures and 24 heroin related (48 total)
  • Each picture presented for 2 seconds before changeover
  • Participants completed self report on craving scale before and after presentation
• Conclusion of Li et al

  PCC activity in heroin users Is different than in non users and activity levels are linked to the length of time a person has used heroin suggesting that it causes the brain to change over time
• Results of Li Et al

  • Heroin users scored higher on cravings scale (3.21) compared to controls (2.23) after the presentation
  • PCC was more active in heroin users than the control group when shown drug related images
  • There was a positive correlation between PCC activity and length of time being a heroin addict
  • A stronger connectivity between the PCC and decision making and PCC and drug taking behaviour was found in heroin users but not control group
• Li Et al sample

  • 14 male heroin users with a mean age of 35 years matched with 15 males on handedness, education level and age