OBJECTIVE: This pilot study evaluated hypotheses concerning the relationship between cerebral hypoperfusion and residual deficits in the functioning of frontal brain systems in abstinent long-term alcoholics. METHOD: The participants (N = 22) were 10 healthy, abstinent alcoholics (9 men) and 12 age-equivalent nonalcoholic controls (10 men). Cerebral blood flow was observed through the use of regionally specific computer-derived quantitative analysis of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) perfusion images. Measures of alcohol use, abstinence and neuropsychological functioning were also obtained to relate to SPECT findings. RESULTS: A positive relationship was observed between perfusion levels in the left inferior frontal brain region and years of sobriety. Alcoholics with less than 4 years of sobriety had significantly reduced left inferior frontal perfusion compared with both nonalcoholic controls and alcoholics having longer periods of sobriety. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support the hypothesis that frontal brain abnormalities in alcoholics may subside with extended abstinence.
OBJECTIVE: This pilot study evaluated hypotheses concerning the relationship between cerebral hypoperfusion and residual deficits in the functioning of frontal brain systems in abstinent long-term alcoholics. METHOD: The participants (N = 22) were 10 healthy, abstinent alcoholics (9 men) and 12 age-equivalent nonalcoholic controls (10 men). Cerebral blood flow was observed through the use of regionally specific computer-derived quantitative analysis of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) perfusion images. Measures of alcohol use, abstinence and neuropsychological functioning were also obtained to relate to SPECT findings. RESULTS: A positive relationship was observed between perfusion levels in the left inferior frontal brain region and years of sobriety. Alcoholics with less than 4 years of sobriety had significantly reduced left inferior frontal perfusion compared with both nonalcoholic controls and alcoholics having longer periods of sobriety. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support the hypothesis that frontal brain abnormalities in alcoholics may subside with extended abstinence.
Authors: A K Pandey; C Kamarajan; Y Tang; D B Chorlian; B N Roopesh; N Manz; A Stimus; M Rangaswamy; B Porjesz Journal: Biol Psychol Date: 2011-10-21 Impact factor: 3.251
Authors: Israel C Christie; Julie Price; Louisa Edwards; Matthew Muldoon; Carolyn C Meltzer; J Richard Jennings Journal: Alcohol Date: 2008-06 Impact factor: 2.405