CAT SCAN DEMONSTRATION OF ALCOHOL-RELATED BRAIN DAMAGE IN SOCIAL DRINKERS

Is CT scan a valid indicator of brain atrophy in alcoholism?

The effect of ingesting varying quantities of alcohol upon the structure and function of the brain was studied using CT scan and psychometric testing. Nutritional status was also assessed. Alcoholics, heavy, moderate and light social drinkers were examined and their results compared with a normal control series. It was concluded that a daily consumption of more than 40 grams alcohol per day, "the safe level" results in brain damage. The latter may partially reverse with abstinence and having reversed maintain improvement, even though patients then resume drinking at the "safe level". The role of thiamin in brain function is still unclear.

High alcohol consumption, liver toxic drugs and brain damage--a population study

Computed tomography (CT) of the brain was performed in a random sample of 195 men to investigate the relationship between alcohol drinking and brain damage. This sample from the general population was divided into subsamples on the basis of their self-reported loss of control over drinking, morning drinks and blackouts. Three groups with different degrees of alcohol consumption were distinguished and the only differences in CT findings were a significantly higher frequency of frontal lobe atrophy with increasing alcohol consumption. The consumption of hepatotoxic drugs was also investigated and the following were the types of drug used: antiarrhythmics, antiepileptics, antibiotics, antiphlogistics, mixed analgetics, sulphonamides, benzodiazepines and derivatives of phenothiazines, all of which are metabolized by way of the liver. The material was divided into four groups with regard to both alcohol consumption and use of hepatotoxic drugs: Group IA, low or moderate alcohol consumption and no use of such drugs; IB, low or moderate alcohol consumption with use of such drugs; IIA, high alcohol consumption with no use of such drugs; and IIB, high alcohol consumption with use of such drugs. Group IIB was found to have a higher incidence of cortical and subcortical changes than group IA. The results indicate that drug use influences the incidence of cortical and subcortical aberrations. It is concluded that there is a typical frontal lobe atrophy associated with alcohol abuse; thus with increasing alcohol ingestion there is accelerated shrinkage of the brain, the frontal lobe being the first part affected. The groups with alcohol abuse who used hepatotoxic drugs show a picture of cortical changes and also of subcortical aberrations, expressed as an increased anterior horn index and widening of the third ventricle.

Cognitive deficits and morphological cerebral changes in a random sample of social drinkers

A random sample of 200 men and 200 women taken from the general population as well as subsamples of 31 male and 17 female excessive social drinkers were investigated with neuropsychological tests and computed tomography of the brain. Relatively high alcohol intake per drinking occasion did not give evidence of cognitive deficits or morphological cerebral changes. However, in males, mild cognitive deficits and morphological cerebral changes as a result of high recent alcohol intake, particularly during the 24-hr period prior to the investigation, were observed. When excluding acute effects of recent alcohol intake, mild cognitive deficits but not morphological cerebral changes that are apparently due to long-term excessive social drinking were observed in males. In females there was no association between the drinking variables and cognitive deficits or morphological cerebral changes, probably due to their less advanced drinking habits. It is suggested that future risk evaluations and estimations of safe alcohol intake should take into consideration the potential risk for brain damage due to excessive social drinking. However, it is premature to make any definite statements about safe alcohol intake and the risk for brain damage in social drinkers from the general population.