![]() For example, the lower FA observed in individuals with AUD may reflect lower neurite density and/or greater orientation dispersion of neurites, which conventional DTI measures do not differentiate 26, 27.ĭespite an extensive literature on the associations of alcohol consumption with brain structure and microstructure in individuals with AUD, there is limited research exploring these associations in individuals who consume alcohol but do not have AUD. However, because conventional diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measures (FA and MD) are based on a simplistic brain tissue microstructure model, they fail to account for the complexities of neurite geometry 25. Further, research indicates that anterior and superior WM systems are more likely to show changes associated with AUD than posterior and inferior systems 24. However, the effects of AUD on WM microstructure, as evidenced by decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased mean diffusivity (MD), are not limited to the corpus callosum but are also seen in the internal and external capsules, fornix, frontal forceps, superior cingulate, and longitudinal fasciculi 3, 21, 23. Neuroimaging studies have consistently shown WM degeneration of the corpus callosum in AUD 3, 21, 22. Further, research suggests that the effects of alcohol consumption on brain volume interact with the effects of aging 9, 17.Īlcohol-consumption related white matter (WM) microstructural alterations are a hallmark change associated with AUD 18, 19, 20. Although alcohol consumption can produce global and regional tissue volume changes, frontal regions are particularly associated with these effects 14, 15, 16. Notably, lower GMV in striatal, frontal, and thalamic regions was associated with AUD duration or lifetime alcohol consumption. A recent meta-analysis of individuals with AUD ( n = 433) showed lower gray matter volume (GMV) in the corticostriatal-limbic circuits, including regions of the prefrontal cortex, insula, superior temporal gyrus, striatum, thalamus, and hippocampus compared to healthy controls ( n = 498) 13. Neuroimaging studies have shown that chronic heavy alcohol consumption (3 or more drinks for women and 4 or more drinks for men on any day) is associated with widespread patterns of macrostructural and microstructural changes, primarily affecting frontal, diencephalic, hippocampal, and cerebellar structures 9, 10, 12. Chronic excessive alcohol consumption is associated with direct and indirect adverse effects, including (but not limited to) cardiovascular disease 4, nutritional deficiency 5, cancer 6, and accelerated aging 7, 8, 9.Ĭhronic alcohol use is associated with changes in brain structure and connectivity 9, 10, 11. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) 1 is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions worldwide 2, with harmful effects on physical, cognitive, and social functioning 3. Here, we show that the negative associations between alcohol intake and brain macrostructure and microstructure are already apparent in individuals consuming an average of only one to two daily alcohol units, and become stronger as alcohol intake increases.Īlcohol consumption is one of the leading contributors to the global burden of disease and to high healthcare and economic costs. Specifically, alcohol intake is negatively associated with global brain volume measures, regional gray matter volumes, and white matter microstructure. Consistent with prior literature, we find negative associations between alcohol intake and brain macrostructure and microstructure. To address this, we examine the associations between alcohol intake and brain structure using multimodal imaging data from 36,678 generally healthy middle-aged and older adults from the UK Biobank, controlling for numerous potential confounds. However, there is conflicting evidence on whether light-to-moderate alcohol consumption shows similar negative associations with brain structure. Heavy alcohol consumption has been associated with brain atrophy, neuronal loss, and poorer white matter fiber integrity. ![]()
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