ALCOHOL AND STRUCTURAL BRAIN LESIONS IN ADULT LIFE: A BRIEF REVIEW OF FINDINGS FROM IMAGING AND PATHOLOGICAL STUDIES

Abstract

Alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence cause many physical and mental disorders. Its neurotoxic effect on brain has a strong evidence base and is well known since many years. This was achieved using both neuroimaging methods, especially magnetic resonance imaging, as well as pathological studies. This neurotoxic action affects practically the whole brain, both gray and white matter, and can eventually cause even brain atrophy. Alcohol also affects anatomical structures such as hippocampus, cerebellum, corpus callosum and prefrontal cortex. 
We briefly describe these lesions based both on neuroimaging and pathological studies. We also mention in brief the pathophysiologic mechanisms through which alcohol affects the brain. Understanding of these mechanisms and knowledge of the brain lesions caused by alcohol help us better manage the neurocognitive and mental disorders of alcoholic patients, their therapeutic treatment, and, finally, their rehabilitation and prognosis.