Exploring connectivity and microstructural recovery following detoxification in individuals suffering from Alcohol Use Disorder

Motivation: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a widely spread disorder responsible for 6% of global mortality. Alcohol affects a substantial portion of the population in various aspects and part of these changes may be related to brain modifications. Goal(s): To identify the effects of alcohol withdrawal on the brain and their link with symptom improvement. Approach: Combination of connectivity matrices and microstructural models based on diffusion MRI tested during withdrawal period. Results: The study of global brain connectivity revealed six connections, four of which also showed microstructure changes during withdrawal that were beneficial for recovery in areas heavily affected by increased alcohol consumption. Impact: We presented an exploratory way to evaluate the effects of short-term withdrawal using connectivity and microstructural models based on diffusion MRI. It revealed four brain connections that deserve to be studied in greater depth in the case of this pathology.