CNS DEFICITS: INTERACTION OF AGE & ALCOHOLISM

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Aims: The aims of this project are to continue analysis of longitudinal and cross-sectional MRI and behavioral data previously collected at the Lucas Center Methods and Results: We have completed further analysis of volumetric measures of striatal (caudate nucleus, putamen, nucleus accumbens) and basal forebrain [medial septum/diagonal band (MS/BD)] structures measured on 3D brain scans obtained from patients with alcoholism (n = 25), Korsakoff's Syndrome (n = 6), schizophrenia comorbid for alcoholism (n = 19) and healthy controls (n = 51). Volumes of caudate and putamen were smaller in the alcoholics than the controls, regardless of length of sobriety. However, the nucleus accumbens showed marked sensitivity to recent alcohol exposure, with greater deficits in recently drinking than sober alcoholics (whether or not they were comorbid for schizophrenia) and no deficits in long sober KS. Among alcoholics, putamen volume was positively correlated with grip strength and MS/DB volume was positively correlated with verbal working memory independently of the negative association between age-standardized MS/DB and age in alcoholics. MS/DB was also reduced in KS. Conclusions: The nucleus accumbens may show recovery with sobriety among alcoholics. Deficits in putamen and MS/DB volumes in alcoholism have functional significance. MS/DB volume loss and potential accompanying cholinergic compromise may also contribute to the KS amnesic syndrome.