ObjectiveTo examine the effects of chronic alcohol consumption on brain functional connectivity using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and degree centrality analysis.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study, with participants including 23 light-to-moderate drinkers, 25 heavy drinkers, and 29 healthy controls aged 40-60 years. Degree centrality analysis was used to compare brain function differences among groups, and the relationships between degree centrality values, cognitive scores, and drinking behaviors were explored.ResultsHeavy drinkers showed significantly reduced degree centrality values in the left inferior temporal gyrus compared with healthy controls as well as in the left inferior temporal gyrus and left middle occipital gyrus compared with light-to-moderate drinkers. Degree centrality values in the left inferior temporal gyrus and left middle occipital gyrus were negatively correlated with drinking frequency and Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test scores but were positively correlated with cognitive scores.ConclusionsHeavy drinking significantly disrupts brain functional networks. These findings suggest a potential link between cognitive function and drinking behavior, which may inform future research on early interventions aimed at protecting brain function in chronic alcohol users.

Keywords: Chronic alcohol consumption; alcohol-drinking pattern; brain function; degree centrality; resting-state functional magnetic resonance.

目标：通过静息态功能磁共振成像和度中心性分析，探讨慢性饮酒对大脑功能连接的影响。 方法：这是一项横断面研究，参与者包括40至60岁之间的23名轻到中度饮者、25名重度饮者以及29名健康对照。使用度中心性分析比较各组之间的大脑功能差异，并探索度中心性值与认知评分及饮酒行为之间的关系。 结果：重度饮者在左侧下颞回的度中心性值显著低于健康对照，同时也在左侧下颞回和左侧中枕叶回上显著低于轻到中度饮者。左侧下颞回和左侧中枕叶回上的度中心性值与饮酒频率及密歇根酒精筛查测试评分呈负相关，而与认知评分呈正相关。 结论：重度饮酒显著破坏了大脑的功能网络。这些发现表明认知功能和饮酒行为之间可能存在潜在联系，这可能对未来关于保护慢性酒精使用者脑功能的早期干预研究有所启示。

关键词：
慢性饮酒；饮酒模式；大脑功能；度中心性；静息态功能磁共振。