Molecular Mechanisms of Alcohol Neurotoxicity

摘要: Heavy alcohol consumption over a period of years can lead to cognitive and neurological impairments. Studies have indicated that alcoholics greatly reduced brain volume. Computer tomographic studies the brains chronic alcoholism leads enlargement ventricles, decreases in tissue volume increases cerebral spinal fluid volume, i.e. shrinkage (Pfefferbaum et al. 1992). Although changes are somewhat similar those occur during normal aging, increase size lateral ventricles cortical space between sulci clearly indicate decrease cellular mass above found age matched non-alcoholics al., 1992; Jernigan The spaces particularly associated with loss gray matter some reduction also occurring white matter. These losses possibly an acceleration age-induced effects as well cumulative toxicity occurs lifetime exposure.