[Cerebral atrophy and chronic alcoholism]

Abstract

Fifty chronic alcoholic male patients, were investigated to determine characteristics of alcohol intoxication, neurologic and hepatic complications and degree of cerebral atrophy by CT. CT imaging criteria for definition of alcoholic cerebral atrophy are proposed, discussed and compared with those previously reported. Findings showed that alcoholic cerebral atrophy is added to atrophy due to age and is in correlation with the duration of intoxication. It appears after 40 years of age and increases progressively in parallel with polyneuropathy, cerebellar disorders and dementia. It appears to progress independently of the hepatic lesions.