Abstract
Betel quid (BQ) is one of the most commonly consumed psychoactive substances. It has been suggested to be associated with various health issues, especially oral cancer. Evidence also points to possible decreased cognitive functions after long-term BQ chewing, such as attention and inhibition control. The present study aims to investigate the brain structure basis of BQ chewing in Hunan province of China. Twenty-five BQ chewers and 25 controls were recruited to participate in this study. Voxel-based morphormetry analysis revealed that there were three key regions showing structural differences between BQ chewers and controls, including bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)/insula, ventral medial prefrontal cortex, and left orbitofrontal cortex. Moreover, the GMV in the DLPFC could potentially predict BQ dependence scores, level of daily BQ chewing, and history of BQ chewing. These results suggested that participants who showed BQ chewing dependence may have deficit in inhibition control and affective decision-making, and the level of deficit was dependent on the level of daily BQ chewing, and history of BQ chewing. Understanding the neurobiology features of BQ chewing would help us develop novel ways to diagnose and prevent BQ dependence.
Highlights
Betel quid (BQ, called betel nut or areca nut) is one of most commonly consumed psychoactive substances [1]
The present study aimed to investigate the brain structure basis of BQ chewing in Hunan province of China
The BQ chewers exhibited a mean of 10.87 ± 1.71 Betel Quid Dependence Scale (BQDS) score, a mean duration of BQ
Summary
Betel quid (BQ, called betel nut or areca nut) is one of most commonly consumed psychoactive substances [1]. Studies suggested that there were decreased cognitive functions after long-term BQ chewing, such as attention and inhibition control [10]. Altered GMV of BQD prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and right superior temporal gyrus, and more GMV in the right hippocampal and right precuneus [11] They found that the GMV in the left DLPFC and right ACC was correlated with the history of BQ chewing [11]. The present study aimed to investigate the brain structure basis of BQ chewing in Hunan province of China. In this area, people chew dried areca nut while people in other parts of China (especially Hainan and Taiwan) chew fresh areca nuts [11]. Understanding the neurobiology feature of BQ chewing would help us develop novel ways to diagnose and prevent BQ dependence
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