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Abstract #1650

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

Alexandre Coimbra1,2, Dai Feng2,3, Adam Schwarz2,4, Jaymin Upadhyay2,5, Lino Becerra2,5, Richard Baumgartner2,3

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.