Cerebral blood flow in just
detoxified
alcohol dependent
patients. A 99 m Tc-HMPAO-SPECT
study.
AB -- Chronic alcohol abuse is responsible for several organic brain
disorders. However, even the most characteristic of them are largely
underdiagnosed by routine procedures. Therefore, there is need for
sensitive, noninvasive and low-cost diagnostic procedures.
99m-Tc-HMPAO-SPECT could be an interesting candidate in this
indication, because it estimates the distribution of the cerebral
blood flow and the metabolic activity of the brain with a good
resolution. We used this technique in 17 healthy volunteers and in a
sample of 50 patients dependent on alcohol, without other major
physical or mental disorder. SPECT was performed during the
attendance of these patients in an inpatient detoxification program.
We observed abnormal SPECT in 34 patients, but only in 2 volunteers
(p < 0.001). The main abnormality was heterogeneity of the
distribution of the tracer. SPECT abnormalities appear to be due nor
to withdrawal syndrome, nor to medication. On the contrary, they are
correlated with stigmata of heavy alcoholism. Furthermore, a genetic
vulnerability to alcohol was suspected because SPECT abnormalities
are more frequent in patients with a history of drinking problems in
their relatives.
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