Along with changes in BOLD signal and resting state EEG activity, we also observe significant changes in functional connectivity in both cue-reactivity and resting-state paradigms. In the cue-reactivity paradigm, we observe a disconnection between frontostriatal regions and regions of the executive control network. The pgACC/vmPFC is involved in top-down emotional regulation towards a stimulus and in this, case the pathological craving of alcohol28. The decreased connectivity between the frontostriatal regions suggests impaired regulation of pathological cravings as shown in another task in patients with alcohol dependency49,50. Furthermore, decreased resting-state functional connectivity in the executive control network has been shown as a correlate of decreased control over drinking and relapse in alcoholic patients51,52. The consistency of these results in cue-based functional connectivity also suggests an increase in pathological craving not only in resting state but also while exposed to a stimulus. This idea is confirmed by the increase in functional connectivity between similar cortical regions in the theta frequency band. Theta has been consistently associated with substance-related disorders, especially during withdrawal and craving states, as well as in several basic motivational
