A widespread distinct pattern of cerebral atrophy in patients with alcohol addiction revealed by voxel-based morphometry

Abstract

Background: Patients with alcohol addiction show a number of transient or persistent neurological and psychiatric deficits. The complexity of these brain alterations suggests that several brain areas are involved, although the definition of the brain alteration patterns is not yet accomplished. Aim: To determine brain atrophy patterns in patients with alcohol dependence. Methods: Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) of grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) was performed in 22 patients with alcohol dependence and in 22 healthy controls matched for age and sex. Results: In patients with alcohol dependence, VBM of GM revealed a significant decrease in density (p,0.001) in the precentral gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, insular cortex, dorsal hippocampus, anterior thalamus and cerebellum compared with controls. Reduced density of WM was found in the periventricular area, pons and cerebellar pedunculi in patients with alcohol addiction. Conclusions: Our findings provide evidence that alcohol addiction is associated with altered density of GM and WM of specific brain regions. This supports the assumption that alcohol dependence is associated with both local GM dysfunction and altered brain connectivity. Also, VBM is an effective tool for in vivo investigation of cerebral atrophy in patients with alcohol addiction.

Compulsive sexual behavior: Prefrontal and limbic volume and interactions

“…A potential explanation for this discrepancy is that long‐term substance use result in long‐lasting neuroplastic changes and toxicity [Kovacic, 2005; Reissner and Kalivas, 2010] that may contribute to the perseveration of drug‐seeking behavior [Gass and Olive, 2008]. Such neurotoxicity may certainly contribute to the widespread atrophy observed in substance addictions [Bartzokis et al, 2000; Carlen et al, 1978; Mechtcheriakov et al, 2007]. Such drug‐related neurotoxicity is likely a highly relevant issue in SUD but less of an issue in behavioral addictions.…”

Imaging the Addicted Brain

“…The specific regions affected by AUD are presented later (Cardenas et al, 2007;Grodin et al, 2013;Harper & Matsumoto, 2005;Mechtcheriakov et al, 2007;Moselhy, Georgiou, & Kahn, 2001;Pfefferbaum, Desmond, et al, 2001;Pfefferbaum, Rosenbloom, Deshmukh, & Sullivan, 2001). Morphometric analysis has revealed smaller volumes of regions in brain reward networks in AUD subjects .…”

“…VBM has been used to investigate morphological differences between brains of individuals with AUD and healthy controls (Chanraud et al, 2007;Mechtcheriakov et al, 2007;Rando et al, 2011). One of the first studies explored GM and WM volume in 22 alcohol-dependent patients compared to 22 healthy controls matched for age and sex.…”

Significant Volume Reduction and Shape Abnormalities of the Basal Ganglia in Cases of Chronic Liver Cirrhosis

“…Eight patients without qualified MR imaging studies were also excluded. Because alcohol addiction might alter the brain structure even without liver cirrhosis, 17 2 patients with alcoholism-related cirrhosis were also excluded. One patient with grade IV overt encephalopathy by the West Haven criteria 18 and 1 patient requiring sedation for MR imaging were also excluded.…”