Brain Damage due to Alcohol Consumption: An Air‐encephalographic, Psychometric and Electroencephalographic Study

Abstract

SUMMARY: Thirty‐three male “alcoholics” and other heavy drinkers were examined by air‐encephalography, psychometry and the EEG to determine the incidence of brain‐damage. Seventy per cent had radiologically significant atrophy and in 65 per cent of these, psychometry supported a diagnosis of brain‐damage, although this was clinically apparent hi only one case. Cortical atrophy seemed more closely related to intellectual damage than ventricular atrophy, and the EEG was relatively unhelpful. The term “omega‐alcoholic” is proposed for a type of drinker not previously described. Alcoholic brain damage is not uncommon and may be a factor in heavy drinkers with diagnoses other than “alcoholism”. For both diagnostic and therapeutic reasons, combined radiological and psychometric assessment is suggested as a routine measure in the management of patients who drink heavily.