title: Alteration of brain metabolites in young alcoholics without structural changes.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, National Health Insurance Corporation Ilsan Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
authors: Eun
authors: E
authors: Lee
authors: Dong-Pyo
authors: DP
authors: Jang
authors: Jae-Jin
authors: JJ
authors: Kim
authors: Suk Kyoon
authors: SK
authors: An
authors: Sangjin
authors: S
authors: Park
authors: In-Young
authors: IY
authors: Kim
authors: Sun I
authors: SI
authors: Kim
authors: Kang-Jun
authors: KJ
authors: Yoon
authors: Kee
authors: K
authors: Namkoong
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D011522:Protons; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D003401:Creatine; D002794:Choline