By the study, Published in a magazine in August alcoholfocused on how long-term abstinence can reverse the effects of cortical thinning in the brains of people with alcohol use disorders.
“Several cross-sectional studies have reported widespread cortical thinning in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Several longitudinal studies have investigated changes in cortical thickness during abstinence. “Consequently, changes in cortical thickness during long-term abstinence in AUD patients are unknown,” the researchers said.
Cortical thickness, they explain, is “genetically and phenotypically distinct from cortical volume and surface area” and “depends on the number and density of cells within cortical columns and/or the size of neuronal bodies. , the number of spines and synapses. and extent of myelination. ”
“Cortical thickness may indicate different patterns of recovery with abstinence in alcohol use disorder (AUD) compared with volume and surface area measurements of the same brain region…The cerebral cortex is primarily composed of neurons and Composed of glial cells [i.e., astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia…and the ratio of glial cells to neurons is approximately 0.7:1; accordingly, cortical thickness may serve as a macroscopic surrogate marker of the cytoarchitectural integrity of cells comprising the cortex,” they wrote in the the study’s introduction.
The researchers also noted that “few studies have investigated cortical thickness changes with abstinence in [alcohol use disorder]”
In this study, researchers looked at participants with alcohol use disorders for one week, one month, and just over seven months of abstinence.
In this study, AUD participants were surveyed at approximately 1 week (n=68), 1 month (n=88), and 7.3 months (n=40) of abstinence.
“45 non-smoking controls (CON) completed the baseline study and 15 were re-evaluated approximately 9.6 months later. Participants completed a magnetic resonance imaging study at 1.5T and 34 bilaterally interested Cortical thickness in regions of interest (ROIs) was quantified with FreeSurfer. AUD demonstrated a linear and significant thickness increase in 25/34 ROIs over a 7.3-month abstinence period,” the researchers said in a summary of their results. explained that “the rate of change from 1 week to 1 month was greater than from 1 month to 7.3 months.” With his ROI of 19/34. ”
“After 7.3 months of abstinence, AUD was statistically equivalent to CON in terms of cortical thickness in 24/34 ROIs: superior temporal gyrus, posterior middle, posterior cingulate cortex, superior parietal cortex, supramarginal cortex and The difference in cortical thickness between AUD and CON in the superior frontal bank was caused by a thinner cortex in AUD with pro-atherogenic conditions compared to CON. When actively smoking AUD, the pack “Increasing year was associated with decreased thickness recovery primarily in frontal ROIs,” the researchers continued.
“Extensive bilateral linear cortical thickness recovery over 7.3 months of abstinence was the central finding in this AUD cohort. A proatherogenic state was observed after 7.3 months of abstinence in several ROIs. Reduced thickness recovery was associated with cortical thinning, suggesting that changes in perfusion or vascular integrity may be associated with structural recovery in AUD. These results support the adaptive and beneficial effects of sustained abstinence on structural brain recovery in patients with AUD.”
The discovery was hailed as “groundbreaking” Posted by: PsyPostsays the study reveals “a significant potential for recovery.”
“In the field of alcohol use disorder, there is very limited information about how human brain structure recovers with long-term abstinence after treatment,” said Dr. said Timothy C. Durazzo, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences. Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine, one of the study’s authors, As quoted by PsyPost. “Our study demonstrates for the first time that in patients seeking treatment for alcohol use disorder, cortical thickness significantly recovers in multiple regions during a period of abstinence of approximately 6 to 7 months after treatment. did.”
Alcohol use disorder is defined as “a medical condition characterized by an impairment in the ability to stop or control alcohol use despite negative social, occupational, or health consequences.” According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and AlcoholismAccording to 2021, 28.6 million adults over the age of 18 had an alcohol use disorder.
Genetics, early childhood exposures, mental health conditions, and other trauma have all been identified as factors that increase risk for alcohol use disorder.
“This includes conditions that some people refer to as alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, alcohol dependence, and colloquially alcoholism. AUD is considered a brain disorder and can be used to treat mild, moderate The permanent changes in the brain caused by alcohol misuse can perpetuate AUD and make it more likely to relapse. The good news is that no matter how serious the problem seems, behavioral therapy, mutual Evidence-based treatment through support groups and/or medication is available to help AUD people achieve and maintain recovery.” The institute explained.
