Alteration of brain metabolites in young alcoholics without structural changes.
Using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging, we investigated concentrations of various brain metabolites, including glutamate, and measured brain volumes and neuropsychological performances in 13 recently abstinent young alcoholic men compared with 18 controls. No differences were found in volumetric variables between groups (intracranial volume, white matter, grey matter, anterior cingulate, insula, hippocampus, and amygdala). For the anterior cingulate, choline and creatine levels in the patient group were significantly lower than controls, and the glutamate to creatine ratio was significantly increased. These were correlated with altered short-term memory functions. Thus, neurochemical changes can occur even in the brains of young alcoholic men lacking brain atrophy.
Lee
Eun
E
Department of Psychiatry, National Health Insurance Corporation Ilsan Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
Jang
Dong-Pyo
DP
Kim
Jae-Jin
JJ
An
Suk Kyoon
SK
Park
Sangjin
S
Kim
In-Young
IY
Kim
Sun I
SI
Yoon
Kang-Jun
KJ
Namkoong
Kee
K
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002794:Choline / Q000378:metabolism; D003401:Creatine / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011522:Protons
D011522:Protons; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D003401:Creatine; D002794:Choline