To investigate the role of amygdala in nicotine dependence, we examined its structural and functional changes in smokers. Volume, amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF) and seed-based functional connectivity (FC) was used to detect differences. Results showed that although there was no significant volume change, right amygdala activity increased in smokers compared with nonsmokers. Furthermore, FC between the left amygdale and left orbit frontal cortex (OFC) increased while the right amygdale and bilateral OFC decreased in smokers. These results suggest that abnormal amygdala function may underlie the occurrence of nicotine dependence.
This abstract and the presentation materials are available to members only; a login is required.