Associations of thalamocortical networks with reduced mindfulness in alcohol use disorder

Background Increased mindfulness is associated with reduced alcohol consumption in patients use disorder (AUD) after residential treatment. However, the underlying neurobiological mechanism of AUD unclear. Therefore, we investigate structural and functional alterations thalamocortical system a focus on mediodorsal thalamic nucleus (MD-TN), default mode salience network (DMN/SN) which has previously been healthy subjects. We hypothesized lower connectivity (FC) system, particularly DMN/SN AUD. assumed that identified are impairments mindfulness. Methods Forty-five abstinent during treatment 20 controls (HC) were recruited. Structural resting-state MRI-scans acquired. analysed levels mindfulness, volumes centrality degree MD-TN using multivariate statistics. Using seed-based whole brain analyses investigated MD-TN. performed exploratory correlational measurements Results In found significantly bilateral left volumes, FC between anterior cingulum/insula as compared to HC. AUD, was various reductions aspects Conclusion Our results suggest including underlies disturbed