Abstract #1650

Pharmacological Challenge with the Opioid Analgesic Buprenorphine, But Not Placebo, Enhances Resting-State Functional Connectivity in the Pain Processing Network

Alexandre Coimbra^1,2, Dai Feng^2,3, Adam Schwarz^2,4, Jaymin Upadhyay^2,5, Lino Becerra^2,5, Richard Baumgartner^2,3

¹Imaging, Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, PA, USA; ²Imaging Consortium for Drug Development, Belmont, MA, USA; ³Biometrics, Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, PA, USA; ⁴Lilly Research Laboratories, IN, USA; ⁵P.A.I.N. Group, Brain Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, MA, USA

Resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) experiments used to assess functional connectivity in the Central Nervous System (CNS) have gained much attention recently [1]. Several groups have reported on the Default Mode Network (DMN). There have also been reports of changes in functional connectivity patterns in disease (Alzheimers Disease, Schizophrenia, Depression, Chronic Pain, [1,2,3]). However, little has been done to assess the effect of pharmacological compounds on functional connectivity parameters. In the present report we tackle test-retest reliability of resting state measures of functional connectivity in the DMN and sensitivity of a functional connectivity endpoint to treatment with an opioid analgesic compound.