Alcohol Craving and Severity are Associated with Dorsal Anterior Cingulate Choline Levels in Individuals with an Alcohol Use Disorder. 2023

Erica N Grodin, and Elizabeth M Burnette, and Joseph O'Neill, and Jeffry Alger, and Lara A Ray
Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.

OBJECTIVE Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has been used to probe inflammation in the brain. While altered MRS metabolite levels have previously been found in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD), the relationship between potential metabolite markers of inflammation and the clinical correlates of AUD remains understudied. Therefore, this exploratory study sought to elucidate the clinical significance of inflammation in AUD by examining relationships between metabolites, AUD severity, alcohol consumption, and craving in individuals with AUD. METHODS Data for this secondary analysis are derived from a two-week clinical trial of ibudilast to treat AUD. Forty-three non-treatment-seeking individuals with an AUD (26M/17F) completed an MRS scan and alcohol-related questionnaires. MRS was performed using a multi-voxel array placed above the corpus callosum, extending from the pregnenual anterior cingulate to premotor cortex. The dorsal anterior cingulate was selected as the volume of interest. Metabolite levels of choline-compounds (Cho), myo-inositol (mI), and creatine+phosphocreatine (Cr) were quantified. Separate hierarchical regression models were used to evaluate the independent effects of metabolite levels on alcohol craving, alcohol problem severity, and alcohol consumption. RESULTS Dorsal anterior cingulate Cho predicted alcohol craving and alcohol problem severity over and above demographics, medication, and alcohol consumption measures. mI and Cr did not predict alcohol craving or alcohol problem severity. Metabolite markers were not predictive of alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS This preliminary study indicates that dACC Cho is sensitive to clinical characteristics of AUD. This is a further step in advancing neurometabolites, particularly Cho, as potential biomarkers and treatment targets for AUD.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007294 Inositol An isomer of glucose that has traditionally been considered to be a B vitamin although it has an uncertain status as a vitamin and a deficiency syndrome has not been identified in man. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p1379) Inositol phospholipids are important in signal transduction. Myoinositol,Chiro-Inositol,Mesoinositol,Chiro Inositol
D002794 Choline A basic constituent of lecithin that is found in many plants and animal organs. It is important as a precursor of acetylcholine, as a methyl donor in various metabolic processes, and in lipid metabolism. Bursine,Fagine,Vidine,2-Hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium,Choline Bitartrate,Choline Chloride,Choline Citrate,Choline Hydroxide,Choline O-Sulfate,Bitartrate, Choline,Chloride, Choline,Choline O Sulfate,Citrate, Choline,Hydroxide, Choline,O-Sulfate, Choline
D006179 Gyrus Cinguli One of the convolutions on the medial surface of the CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES. It surrounds the rostral part of the brain and CORPUS CALLOSUM and forms part of the LIMBIC SYSTEM. Anterior Cingulate Gyrus,Brodmann Area 23,Brodmann Area 24,Brodmann Area 26,Brodmann Area 29,Brodmann Area 30,Brodmann Area 31,Brodmann Area 32,Brodmann Area 33,Brodmann's Area 23,Brodmann's Area 24,Brodmann's Area 26,Brodmann's Area 29,Brodmann's Area 30,Brodmann's Area 31,Brodmann's Area 32,Brodmann's Area 33,Cingulate Gyrus,Gyrus Cinguli Anterior,Retrosplenial Complex,Retrosplenial Cortex,Anterior Cingulate,Anterior Cingulate Cortex,Cingular Gyrus,Cingulate Area,Cingulate Body,Cingulate Cortex,Cingulate Region,Gyrus, Cingulate,Posterior Cingulate,Posterior Cingulate Cortex,Posterior Cingulate Gyri,Posterior Cingulate Gyrus,Posterior Cingulate Region,Superior Mesial Regions,24, Brodmann Area,Anterior Cingulate Cortices,Anterior Cingulates,Anterior, Gyrus Cinguli,Anteriors, Gyrus Cinguli,Area 23, Brodmann,Area 23, Brodmann's,Area 24, Brodmann,Area 24, Brodmann's,Area 26, Brodmann,Area 26, Brodmann's,Area 29, Brodmann,Area 29, Brodmann's,Area 30, Brodmann,Area 30, Brodmann's,Area 31, Brodmann,Area 31, Brodmann's,Area 32, Brodmann,Area 32, Brodmann's,Area 33, Brodmann,Area 33, Brodmann's,Area, Cingulate,Body, Cingulate,Brodmanns Area 23,Brodmanns Area 24,Brodmanns Area 26,Brodmanns Area 29,Brodmanns Area 30,Brodmanns Area 31,Brodmanns Area 32,Brodmanns Area 33,Cingulate Areas,Cingulate Bodies,Cingulate Cortex, Anterior,Cingulate Cortex, Posterior,Cingulate Gyrus, Anterior,Cingulate Gyrus, Posterior,Cingulate Region, Posterior,Cingulate Regions,Cingulate, Anterior,Cingulate, Posterior,Cinguli Anterior, Gyrus,Cinguli Anteriors, Gyrus,Complex, Retrosplenial,Cortex, Anterior Cingulate,Cortex, Cingulate,Cortex, Posterior Cingulate,Cortex, Retrosplenial,Gyrus Cinguli Anteriors,Gyrus, Anterior Cingulate,Gyrus, Cingular,Gyrus, Posterior Cingulate,Posterior Cingulate Cortices,Posterior Cingulate Regions,Posterior Cingulates,Region, Cingulate,Region, Posterior Cingulate,Retrosplenial Complices,Retrosplenial Cortices,Superior Mesial Region
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000428 Alcohol Drinking Behaviors associated with the ingesting of ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, including social drinking. Alcohol Consumption,Alcohol Intake,Drinking, Alcohol,Alcohol Drinking Habits,Alcohol Drinking Habit,Alcohol Intakes,Consumption, Alcohol,Drinking Habit, Alcohol,Habit, Alcohol Drinking,Habits, Alcohol Drinking,Intake, Alcohol
D000431 Ethanol A clear, colorless liquid rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and distributed throughout the body. It has bactericidal activity and is used often as a topical disinfectant. It is widely used as a solvent and preservative in pharmaceutical preparations as well as serving as the primary ingredient in ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. Alcohol, Ethyl,Absolute Alcohol,Grain Alcohol,Alcohol, Absolute,Alcohol, Grain,Ethyl Alcohol
D000437 Alcoholism A primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking, most notably denial. Each of these symptoms may be continuous or periodic. (Morse & Flavin for the Joint Commission of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and the American Society of Addiction Medicine to Study the Definition and Criteria for the Diagnosis of Alcoholism: in JAMA 1992;268:1012-4) Alcohol Abuse,Alcoholic Intoxication, Chronic,Ethanol Abuse,Alcohol Addiction,Alcohol Dependence,Alcohol Use Disorder,Abuse, Alcohol,Abuse, Ethanol,Addiction, Alcohol,Alcohol Use Disorders,Chronic Alcoholic Intoxication,Dependence, Alcohol,Intoxication, Chronic Alcoholic,Use Disorders, Alcohol
D019973 Alcohol-Related Disorders Disorders related to or resulting from abuse or misuse of alcohol. Alcohol Problem,Alcohol Problems,Alcohol Related Disorders,Alcohol-Related Disorder,Disorder, Alcohol-Related
D066249 Craving An intense, urgent, or abnormal desire or longing (for food, drugs, alcohol, etc.) Cravings

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