Abnormal resting-state functional connectivity of the right anterior cingulate cortex in chronic ketamine users and its correlation with cognitive impairments.

Chronic ketamine users show worse cognitive performance than healthy controls in visual learning, speed of processing, working memory, and overall cognition. Brain scans reveal stronger functional connectivity between the right anterior cingulate cortex and the right postcentral gyrus in users. This enhanced connectivity is positively linked to reasoning and problem-solving scores, suggesting it may serve as a compensatory mechanism for cognitive deficits. No significant relationship was found between this connectivity and characteristics of ketamine use.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Chronic ketamine use leads to cognitive impairments, however, the neural mechanisms underpinning these impairments are still unclear. Many studies showed Anterior cingulate cortex (ACC)is strongly involved in cognition and drug addiction, as supported by our previous studies. The objective of this study was to assess the variations in resting-state functional connectivity (FC) changes in the right anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of chronic ketamine users (CKUs) and their relationship with cognitive performance. The study enrolled 28 chronic ketamine users (CKUs) and 30 healthy controls (HCs). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were gathered from both groups. Cognitive functions were evaluated using the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB). CKUs demonstrated significantly poorer cognitive performance than HCs in various cognitive domains, including Visual Learning, Speed of Processing, Working Memory, and the composite score of MCCB. Group-level comparisons revealed that CKUs exhibited enhanced functional connectivity between the right ACC and the right postcentral gyrus (PCG) compared to HCs. There was a positive relationship between the connectivity of right ACC-PCG and reasoning and problem-solving score, but there was no significant association with the characteristics of ketamine use. CKUs showed enhanced connectivity between the right ACC and the right PCG. This enhanced functional connectivity may indicate functional compensation for cognitive deficits in CKUs, especially for reasoning and problem-solving impairments in CKUs.