Hypoperfusion of the
cerebellum and aging effects on cerebral
cortex blood flow in abstinent alcoholics:
a SPECT study.
BACKGROUND:
This study evaluated hypotheses concerning alcoholism, aging, and
the relationship between cerebral hypoperfusion and residual
deficits in the functioning of cerebellar and neocortical brain
systems.
METHODS:
The participants were 10 healthy abstinent alcoholics (9 men, 1
woman) and 12 nonalcoholic controls (10 men, 2 women) ranging in age
from 35 to 67 years. Cerebral blood flow was observed through the
use of regionally specific computer-derived quantitative analysis of
single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) perfusion images.
Cerebellar perfusion was measured and compared with cerebral cortex
perfusion in age-equivalent subgroups of alcoholics and controls
(under 55 years; 55 years and over).
RESULTS:
In abstinent alcoholics under age 55, cerebellar perfusion ratios
were significantly reduced compared with the controls. In alcoholics
and nonalcoholic controls 55 years old and older, this relationship
was reversed, probably as a result of diminished cortical perfusion
with aging in the alcoholics and of cerebellar decline in the
controls.
CONCLUSIONS:
The findings support hypotheses that the residual effects of
alcoholism include cerebellar brain abnormalities and that aging
combined with long-term alcoholism leads to cerebral cortical
decline.
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