Effects of substance abuse on ventricular and sulcal measures assessed by computerized tomography

Article Abstract:

Computerized tomography (CT) is a non-invasive way to look at structures inside the body. By comparing CT scans over time, changes in structures can be observed. It is known that structural changes occur in the brain as a result of alcohol use. Other substances are also known to kill brain cells and produce lesions on brain tissue. Despite this knowledge, however, long-term brain changes as a result of drug abuse have not been studied extensively. In the present study, changes in brain structures were evaluated in drug users and in normal controls to determine the extent to which the changes could be related to alcohol or other drug abuse. The subjects were 40 males aged between 23 and 43 years with histories of polysubstance abuse. All of the subjects were semi-skilled workers; 60 percent were black, and 40 percent were white. Forty unmatched controls were also examined; 85 percent were white. Histories were obtained and CT scans were performed. Particular attention was paid to the ventricle:brain ratio (VBR) and the width of the third ventricle in the brain (TVW). For VBR, the average measurements were 7.0 millimeters (mm) for substance abusers and 6.5 mm for controls. For TVW, the average measurements for substance abusers were 6.0 mm and 4.0 mm for controls. Age was not a significantly related to VBR or TVW measurements for controls in this sample. In substance abusers, age was not a factor in TVW, but was significantly correlated with VBR, and there was a significant correlation between VBR and TVW measurements. When all possible effects were accounted for, only the relationship between alcohol and TVW remained significant. Therefore, it is suggested that alcohol may be associated with increased width of the third ventricle in the brain, or brain atrophy. No effects of other drugs appeared to be significant. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Abnormalities, Physiological aspects, Alcoholism, Substance abuse, Brain, Drug abuse, Tomography, Brain abnormalities

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Validity of two scales in identifying HIV-associated dementia

Article Abstract:

The HIV Dementia Scale (HDS) and the Executive Interview (EXIT) appear to be effective as a quick screening tool to identify HIV patients who have dementia. HDS takes about 10 minutes to do and EXIT takes about 15 minutes.

Evaluation, Diagnosis, Medical screening, Health screening, Health status indicators, AIDS dementia, AIDS dementia complex

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