Nicotine Addiction Decreases Dynamic Connectivity Frequency In Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abnormal functional network connectivity has been related to nicotine addiction where similar patterns of dysfunction were found after applying dynamic or static connectivity methods. Further developments indicate that connectivity patterns might also exhibit a dysfunctional frequency spectrum. This work employs a quasi-stable time-varying functional connectivity framework to explore frequency effects related to nicotine use. Results suggest that nicotine abstinence in addicted subjects is linked to a frequency decrease of resting state connectivity fluctuations. This effect was found in one out of four quasi-stable connectivity states.