Abstract
The effect of alcohol upon the brain has been studied, ranging from a consumption of 10 g/day to the level of the acknowledged alcoholic (120 g/day or more). In the first instance the CT results of social drinkers and alcoholics were compared with the findings in a group of normal volunteers. Subsequently a group of light to moderate drinkers were examined to investigate the reationship between CT findings, psycho-metric results and alcohol intake. A study of haematological and biochemical parameters of nutrition and liver function was undertaken and these findings were matched with the dietary history recorded for a one-week period by the volunteers. The local results were compared with those of other workers. 26 subjects out of a total of 65 light to moderate drinkers agreed to abstain from alcohol for a period of 6 months and the tests were all repeated. Improvements were found in total CT atrophy, psychometric results and biochemistry. Work-in-progress is the recall of all subjects, irrespective of whether or not they have returned to social drinking. Those subjects who only had an initial examination are also being recalled to establish the progress if any, of the originally demonstrated brain damage, as a result of continued drinking.
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N. Stenhouse
Both authors formerly Public Health Officers, Eastern Sydney Area Public Health Unit Previously general practitioner, Orange NSW, Australia.