Hypoperfusion of the cerebellum and aging effects on cerebral cortex bloodflow is abstinent alcoholics: A SPECT study

Background: This study evaluated hypotheses concerning alcoholism, aging, a nd 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 wo man) 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 meas ured and compared with cerebral cortex perfusion in age-equivalent subgroup s 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 asd no nalcoholic controls 55 years old and older, this relationship was reversed, probably as a result of diminished cortical perfusion with aging in the al coholics and of cerebellar decline in the controls. Conclusions: The findings support hypotheses that the residual effects of a lcoholism include cerebellar brain abnormalities and that aging combined wi th long-term alcoholism leads to cerebral cortical decline.