Hippocampal volume loss in patients with alcoholism is influenced by the consumed type of alcoholic beverage.

AIMS

The individual extent of structural brain tissue changes in patients with alcohol dependence is influenced by genetic factors, gender, age and possibly a dose/duration-effect. Aim of the present study was to investigate different types of alcoholic beverages with regard to hippocampal volume loss in patients suffering from alcoholism.

METHODS

We included 52 patients with alcohol dependence and divided them according to their preferred type of beverage consumption (beer, wine, and spirits). Hippocampal volumes were determined using volumetric high-resolution MR imaging.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in hippocampal volumes between patients consuming different beverages (ANOVA: F = 7.454; df = 2; P = 0.0015) with the smallest volumes in the wine group, followed by the spirits group. Furthermore, patients with a preferred spirits consumption showed significantly higher plasma homocysteine levels (ANOVA: F = 3.39; df = 2; P = 0.042). Linear regression analyses revealed an association of homocysteine and hippocampal volume only in the group of patients preferring spirits (R(2) = 0.364; P = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Homocysteine-mediated excitotoxicity may be an important pathophysiological mechanism in ethanol-related brain damage, particularly in patients consuming wine and spirits. The extent of brain atrophy in beer consuming patients seems to be more moderate.