Mindfulness-based therapy modulates default-mode network connectivity in patients with opioid dependence.
European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology May 1, 2019 Reham Fahmy, Maha Wasfi, Rania Mamdouh et al.
Mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) during the first month of opiate abstinence produces distinct changes in default mode network (DMN) connectivity. In 32 opiate-dependent patients assigned to either MBT or treatment as usual (TAU), those receiving MBT showed increased mindfulness scores after four weeks. Within the anterior DMN, MBT patients had decreased connectivity in the right inferior frontal cortex compared to TAU, and within the MBT group, decreased right superior frontal cortex connectivity emerged after treatment. Inferior frontal cortex function correlated with mindfulness measures. MBT may be useful during opiate abstinence, with specific DMN connectivity changes associated with the therapy.