“…The effects of thiamine deficiency on brain morphology have been well documented in patients with chronic alcoholism, which itself produces widespread shrinkage of brain tissue (Cardenas et al, 2005;Fein et al, 2002;Jernigan et al, 1991;Pfefferbaum et al, 1992) and attendant deficits in motor and cognitive function that can persist even after months of abstinence along with adequate nutrition (eg, Eckardt et al, 1998;Fein et al, 1990;Parsons, 1993;Sullivan et al, 2000c). Although alcohol-related brain abnormalities are partially reversible with prolonged sobriety (Carlen et al, 1978;Gazdzinski et al, 2005;Mann et al, 1999;O'Neill et al, 2001;Parks et al, 2002;Pfefferbaum et al, 1995Pfefferbaum et al, , 1998Schroth et al, 1988), cortical gray and white matter may sustain long-term volume shrinkage and even loss (Jernigan et al, 1991;Pfefferbaum et al, 1992), especially in the prefrontal cortex (De Bellis et al, 2005) of older alcoholics (Cardenas et al, 2005;Pfefferbaum et al, 1997).…”