Computerized tomographic evidence of cerebral atrophy in heavy drinkers.

Of 50 heavy drinkers referred for nonalcoholic psychiatric problems, 56% had computerized tomographic evidence of cerebral atrophy. This contrasted with a rate of 6% in patients with schizophrenia and affective illnesses who had taken psychotropic drugs for at least ten years. Further, the severity of atrophy was greater in the group of heavy drinkers. The results support a role for computerized tomography in assessment of patients with chronic alcoholic problems.