Resting-state, functional MRI on regional homogeneity changes of brain in the heavy smokers

Objective To explore the mechanism of self-awareness in the heavy smokers(HS)by using regional homogeneity(ReHo)combined with resting-state functional MRI(fMRI).Methods Thirty HS and 31 healthy non-smokers(NS)matched for age and sex underwent a 3.0 T resting-state fMRI.The data were post-processed by SPM 5 and then the ReHo values were calculated by REST software.The ReHo values between the two groups were compared by two-sample t-test.The brain map with significant difference of ReHo value was obtained.Results Compared with that in NS group,the regions with decreased ReHo value included the bilateral precuneus,superior frontal gyrus,medial prefrontal cortex,right angular gyrus,inferior frontal gyrus,inferior occipital gyrus,cerebellum,and left middle frontal gyrus in HS group.The regions of increased ReHo value included the bilateral insula,parahippocampal gyrus,white matter of parietal lobe,pons,left inferior parietal lobule,lingual gyrus,thalamus,inferior orbital gyrus,white matter of temporal-frontal lobe,and cerebellum.The difference was more obvious in the left hemisphere.Conclusions In HS,abnormal ReHo on a resting state which reflects network of smoking addiction.This method may be helpful in understanding the mechanism of self-awareness in HS. Key words: Smoking; Behavior,addictive; Magnetic resonance imaging