A recent study found that opioid addicts experience structural and functional changes in specific brain regions, leading to alterations in volume and intrinsic resting-state functional connectivity. The study compared brain scans of opioid addicts and non-addicts, revealing differences in brain regions containing opioid receptors. The research highlighted variations in brain changes between men and women with opioid addiction, emphasizing the importance of assessing sex differences in neuroimaging studies. The ultimate goal is to understand the impact of these brain alterations on behavior and treatment outcomes. The study suggests the need for further research to determine if these changes are permanent or reversible with addiction treatment.
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Opioid abuse can change the brain
