Brain imaging of an alcoholic with MRI, SPECT, and PET.

A medically healthy chronic alcoholic without evidence of neurological and neuropsychological impairment was studied with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT), and positron emission tomography (PET). An age-matched normal volunteer was evaluated with the same scans for comparison. The MRI of the alcoholic revealed prominent ventricles and mild cortical atrophy. SPECT and PET revealed predominant involvement of the frontal cortex as shown by decreased frontal blood flow and metabolism. This case illustrates the sensitivity of brain imaging techniques in detecting cerebral abnormalities even in the absence of neurologic and/or neuropsychological impairments.