Altered amygdala-centered connectivity has been noted in individuals addicted to multiple pharmacological classes of drugs (Gu et al., 2010; Upadhyay et al., 2010; Wang et al., 2010; Liu et al., 2009; Xie et al., 2011). More specifically, Gu and colleagues (2010) reported decreased rsFC strength between amygdala and a region of medial PFC (encompassing aspects of vmPFC and rostral ACC) in cocaine addicts (Fig 1B). Similar decreases in amygdala-vmPFC rsFC strength have also been observed in a sample (n=15) of active heroin abusers (Wang et al., 2010). Widespread reductions in amygdala’s connectivity with multiple regions, including medial, ventrolateral, and dorsolateral PFC regions, have also been documented in prescription-opioid addicts (Upadhyay 2010). Moreover, amygdala-vmPFC (i.e., subgenual ACC) connectivity was inversely related to duration of opioid dependence, such that longer periods of use were associated with greater rsFC reductions (Upadhyay 2010). Additionally, using diffusion tensor imaging, these authors also showed that opioid use was associated with reduced structural integrity of the uncinate fasiculus, the primary white matter tract connecting amygdala and medial PFC. Thus, while the number of studies is still limited,
