SPECT Scans Showing Impact of Alcohol Abuse on the Brain
by Lisa Frederiksen
This is a top down SPECT of a healthy brain. Compare it to the bottom, right image in the block of scans below. Courtesy Amen Clinics, www.amenclinics.com.
Sometimes a picture speaks a thousand words and that is certainly true of the brain imaging that is now possible. Brain imaging technologies developed and/or advanced in the past 15 years, or so, are allowing neuroscientists and medical professionals to study the live human brain like never before. These technologies include SPECT, PET, fMRI, and the like.
With regards to alcohol (or other drugs) and the brain, these imaging technologies provide the visual “evidence” of a clinical assessment and diagnosis of the impact on the brain of a person’s alcohol abuse (defined as drinking more than moderate limits) and/or alcoholism (defined as an addiction to alcohol; addiction is a chronic relapsing brain disease).
To the left, you will find SPECT scans done by the Amen Clinics and reprinted with permission. The top image is of a healthy brain, and the bottom set of images shows the brain of a 56-year old man with daily alcohol use of 3-4 drinks, however he was NOT an alcoholic. Compare the single brain image (healthy brain) to the brain image in the bottom, right corner of the 4 scans below (daily alcohol use, 3-4 drinks but not alcoholic). The bumpy areas show areas of low blood flow and thus reduced brain activity.
It is important to understand that the brain can change when alcohol abuse is stopped.
Amen Clinics Inc. specializes in brain health and innovative diagnosis and treatment for a wide variety of neuropsychiatric, behavioral and learning problems among children, teenagers and adults. Established in 1989 by Daniel G. Amen, M.D., the center has a national reputation for utilizing brain SPECT imaging for a wide variety of neuropsychiatric problems, including substance abuse, ADD/ADHD, anxiety, depression and memory problems.
SPECT Surface scans of the brain of a 56 Year-old man with daily use of 3-4 drinks but NOT an alcoholic. L to R, scans show brain from the bottom, right side, left side and top down. The image in the bottom right corner (top down) compares to the image above - a top down view of a healthy brain. Courtesy Amen Clinics, www.amenclinics.com
Updated 10.28.09
September 3rd, 2009 at 7:13 am
thanks for the posting.
this evidence is one of those times that I sit and say, “see, I knew it!” Although I think the use of alcohol, a drink here or there for NON-addicts, is fine, consistent usage clearly is.
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:00 am
Hi Mike,
I know what you mean! Seeing it is so powerful. And, as you said, a drink here or there for non-addicts is fine. NIAAA states “safe” or “moderate” drink limits for women are 7 in a week, with no more than 3 of those 7 in a day; and for men, it is 14 in a week, with no more than 4 of those 14 in a day. The daily limits are to help people avoid binge drinking, and the weekly limits are the same as those suggested by the USDA, whose US Dietary Guidelines show limits for women (who chose to drink) as 1 drink/day and for men (who chose to drink) as 2 drinks/day. Part of the key to counting how many drinks/day or week is knowing what is a standard drink (5 oz. of table wine, 12 oz. of regular beer OR 1.5 ounces of 80-proof alcohol) and being aware of how many standard drinks there are in a bar or restaurant pour (or a friend’s pour, for that matter). Thanks so much for your comment, Mike. I apologize for the LONG reply but thought it was a good opportunity to remind readers of these ideas, as well. Lisa
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