Brain intrinsic network connectivity in individuals with frequent tanning behavior

ABSTRACT

Background: Emergent studies suggest a bidirectional relationship between brain functioning and the skin. This neurocutaneous connection may be responsible for the reward response to tanning and, thus, may contribute to excessive tanning behavior. To date, however, this association has not yet been examined. Objectives: To explore whether intrinsic brain functional connectivity within the default mode network (DMN) is related to indoor tanning behavior. Methods: Resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) was obtained in twenty adults (16 females) with a history of indoor tanning. Using a seed-based [(posterior cingulate cortex (PCC)] approach, the relationship between tanning severity and FC strength was assessed. Tanning severity was measured with symptom count from the Structured Clinical Interview for Tanning Abuse and Dependence (SITAD) and tanning intensity (lifetime indoor tanning episodes/years tanning). Results: rsFC strength between the PCC and other DMN regions (left globus pallidus, left medial frontal gyrus, left superior frontal gyrus) is positively correlated with tanning symptom count. rsFC strength between the PCC and salience network regions (right anterior cingulate cortex, left inferior parietal lobe, left inferior temporal gyrus) is correlated with tanning intensity. Conclusion: Greater connectivity between tanning severity and DMN and salience network connectivity suggests that heightened self-awareness of salient stimuli may be a mechanism that underlies frequent tanning behavior. These findings add to the growing evidence of brain-skin connection and reflect dysregulation in the reward processing networks in those with frequent tanning.

KEYWORDS:

• Striatum
• resting state functional connectivity
• reward
• tanning
• ultraviolet radiation
• posterior cingulate cortex

Author Contributions

AK wrote the initial draft. FF and BA provided primary input on the draft, with assistance from JPS, PMA, and JS. AK performed all analyses with oversight from FF. BA designed the study with assistance from JPS, PMA, and JLP and was responsible for oversight of recruitment, assessment, and assessment. JLP and PMA had primarily responsibility of participant screening and assessment.

Compliance with Ethical Standards

Ethical approval: All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of UT Southwestern Medical center and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Disclosures

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by grant R21AR063018 from the National Institutes on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Screening information was obtained by Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap), which is supported by UT Southwestern Academic Information Systems, Vanderbilt Research and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under award number UL1TR001105.