Alcohol-induced changes in the brain as assessed by MRI and CT

Abstract

This review provides an overview of structural magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography findings of direct and indirect alcohol-related toxic effects on the brain. In addition to ethanol-related changes to the brain, this article will also describe imaging findings in the acute setting of methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning. Alcohol will lead to brain atrophy, osmotic myelinolysis, Marchiafava-Bignami disease and, especially when related to malnutrition, may also cause Wernicke encephalopathy. Brain atrophy can be reversible if alcohol abuse is stopped. If not treated, Wernicke encephalopathy can lead to coma and death and an early diagnosis is important for immediate initiation of thiamine substitution. As clinical symptoms are often unspecific, the radiologist plays an important role in the detection of alcohol abuse and its related clinical conditions.

Marchiafava-Bignami disease as a cause of visual hallucinations

“…These religious affiliations usually have stronger opinions regarding public policy than do other religious traditions, including advocating for more restrictive alcohol policies. 2 There are distinct differences in alcohol use between religious traditions, as we reported in a recent article. 3 For instance, Afro-Brazilian religions (i.e., Umbanda) utilize alcohol in their rituals, whereas some Brazilian Protestant Evangelicals forbid its use entirely, whether for religious or non-religious purposes.…”

“…2 We agree that cultural values, personality, and stressful life events can have an important influence on alcohol use. In our study, the population was predominantly composed by Catholics (67.3%), followed by Evangelical Protestants (23.3%).…”

“…Some conditions, such as MarchiafavaBignami disease (MBD), are associated with chronic alcoholism, but it is still not clear whether directly or indirectly. 2 A 52-year-old woman was admitted to our institution with a 10-day history of visual hallucinations --complaining of dead people and cameras inside her house --and cognitive impairment. There were no focal neurological signs nor associated delirium.…”

“…MBD can also coexist with Wernicke's encephalopathy, Korsakoff's syndrome, osmotic demyelination syndrome, and Morel's laminar necrosis, which are also associated with chronic alcoholism. 2 Imaging is crucial to the diagnosis. CT may reveal focal or diffuse hypoattenuating lesions involving the genu and the splenium as well as in the periventricular area.…”

Pathway-based approaches to imaging genetics association studies: Wnt signaling, GSK3beta substrates and major depression

“…With all remaining MDD patients on medications after removal of these subjects, the results from the re-analyses were effectively unchanged (i.e., all SNP-GM volume association p-values remained significant). Given prior evidence that alcohol consumption can affect brain structure (Geibprasert et al, 2009), we re-analyzed the dataset by including a covariate for alcohol consumption in all analyses, however, all SNP-GM volume association p-values remained significant.…”