海洛因成瘾患者的大脑白质结构网络的拓扑特性

Human Brain White Matter Networks in Heroin Dependence: a DTI Tractography Study

【目的】探讨海洛因成瘾患者的大脑白质结构网络的拓扑特性。【方法】采集20例海洛因成瘾者及17例健康对照组的扩散张量成像和大脑高分辨率解剖结构像,利用纤维追踪技术和图论模型,构建了每个被试的大脑白质结构网络,计算大脑网络的拓扑特性。【结果】在全局参数上,海洛因成瘾者的大脑网络的最短路径长度显著低于健康对照组,全局效率高于健康对照组(P<0.05);在节点参数上,海洛因成瘾者的节点效率显著增加(P<0.05),这些显著增加的脑区主要分布在控制系统和感觉运动系统。【结论】海洛因成瘾患者的大脑结构网络的拓扑属性发生了显著改变。利用图论的方法可以便于我们探测海洛因成瘾所致的大脑结构网络变化,为探索成瘾所致的大脑连接的变化提供了一个有效的工具。

[Objective] To investigate the topological properties of heroin dependence individuals＇ white matter network alterations.[Methods] In this study,we used diffusion tensor imaging and deterministic tractography to map the white matter networks in 20 heroin dependence individuals and 17 age-and gender-matched healthy controls.Graph theoretical methods were applied to investigate alterations in the network metrics in these patients.[Results] In global network metrics,the heroin dependence individuals showed reduced shortest path length （Lp）,and increased global efficiency （Eglob） in the brain networks compared with the controls （P 〈 0.05）.In nodal efficiency,the nodal efficiency of all brain regions showed increased in heroin dependence individuals （P 〈 0.05）,and most of these regions were located in control system,and sensory and motor system.[Conclusion] The results suggest the alteration of the topological network properties in the large-scale brain systems in heroin dependence individuals,thus providing new insights into the understanding of heroin dependence connectome.Our data also suggest that a topology-based brain network analysis can provide potential tool for monitoring the alteration of brain white matter integrity in heroin dependence.