1Department of Psychiatry, Medical College, Kolkata, India
2Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
3Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
4Department of Radiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
Alcohol consumption is widespread in India. Animal models show that alcohol produces lasting changes in the mesolimbic reward pathway and associated neurotransmitters. The present study was conducted to determine intracranial structural changes in alcohol dependence.
The present study was conducted on an out patient basis; CT scan was performed in 60 alcohol dependent subjects and 60 controls meeting strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. The comparative size of the intracranial structures was calculated using standardized formula. The parameters were analyzed using SPSS soft ware version 13, and the different parameters were compared between the two groups using “t” test and Pearson's correlation coefficient.
Cases with alcohol dependence had significantly higher mean cortical atrophy scores as compared to the control group. The cumulative cortical atrophy score in the frontal area was significantly higher as compared to control group and the difference was statistically significant.
As the correlation between cortical atrophy/Evan's ratio and age/duration of alcoholism were statistically significant it can be safely concluded that the atrophic changes specific to frontal lobe are not dependent on age or duration of alcohol intake but specific to alcohol dependence.
cortical atrophy, frontal atrophy, Evan's ratio, CT Scan, alcohol dependence
