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Thursday, June 18, 2009

The effect of ethanol on human brain metabolites longitudinally characterized by proton MR spectroscopy
Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism (2009) 29, 891–902

Fronto-mesial and cerebellar ethanol concentrations over time were similar as determined by the LCModel analysis of spectral data.

Alcohol-induced changes of fronto-mesial creatine, choline, glucose, inositol and aspartate levels for 5.792.94 mins upon ingestion as well as cerebellar choline and inositol levels for 8.642.98 mins past exposure.

Closely associated with ethanol concentrations, supratentorial creatine, choline, inositol and aspartate levels decreased after ethanol administration, whereas glucose levels increased. Similarly, infratentorial choline and inositol concentrations were negatively correlated with ethanol levels over time. There were no changes in N-acetyl-aspartate levels upon alcohol exposure.

Furthermore, no influence of ethanol on brain water integrals was detected. Ethanol consumption may directly increase oxidative stress and the neuronal vulnerability to it.

In addition, our results are compatible with ethanol-induced cell membrane modifications and alternative energy substrate usage upon alcohol




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