Amygdala volume associated with alcohol abuse relapse and craving.
OBJECTIVE
Amygdala volume has been associated with drug craving in cocaine addicts, and amygdala volume reduction is observed in some alcohol-dependent subjects. This study sought an association in alcohol-dependent subjects between volumes of reward-related brain regions, alcohol craving, and the risk of relapse.


METHODS
Besides alcohol craving, the authors assessed amygdala, hippocampus, and ventral striatum volumes in 51 alcohol-dependent subjects and 52 age- and education-matched healthy comparison subjects after detoxification. After imaging and clinical assessment, patients were followed for 6 months and alcohol intake was recorded.


RESULTS
Alcohol-dependent subjects showed reduced amygdala, hippocampus, and ventral striatum volumes and reported stronger craving in relation to healthy comparison subjects. However, only amygdala volume and craving differentiated between subsequent relapsers and abstainers. A significant decrease of amygdala volume in alcohol-dependent subjects was associated with increased alcohol craving before imaging and an increased alcohol intake during the 6-month follow-up period.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest a relationship between amygdala volume reduction, alcohol craving, and prospective relapse into alcohol consumption.
Wrase
Jana
J
Department of Psychiatry, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité Campus Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
Makris
Nicos
N
Braus
Dieter F
DF
Mann
Karl
K
Smolka
Michael N
MN
Kennedy
David N
DN
Caviness
Verne S
VS
Hodge
Steven M
SM
Tang
Lena
L
Albaugh
Matthew
M
Ziegler
David A
DA
Davis
Orin C
OC
Kissling
Christian
C
Schumann
Gunter
G
Breiter
Hans C
HC
Heinz
Andreas
A
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D000679:Amygdala / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012008:Recurrence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index