Alcohol and the Brain

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xvi

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2. Basic Research

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

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   2. Neuropathology of Alcohol Abuse

      • Gerhard Freund

      Pages 3-17

   3. Ethanol’s Action on Brain Biochemistry

      • Paula L. Hoffman, Boris Tabakoff

      Pages 19-68

   4. Endocrine Effects of Chronic Alcohol Abuse

      • David H. van Thiel, Judith S. Gavaler

      Pages 69-79

   5. Nutrition and Alcoholism

      • David R. Antonow, Craig J. McClain

      Pages 81-120

   6. Hepatocerebral Interactions

      • Daniel F. Schafer

      Pages 121-137

   7. Human Brain Electrophysiology and Alcoholism

      • Bernice Porjesz, Henri Begleiter

      Pages 139-182

   8. Neuroradiologic Investigations of Alcoholism

      • D. Adrian Wilkinson

      Pages 183-215

   9. Neuropsychology of Alcoholism

      • Ralph E. Tarter, Kathleen L. Edwards

      Pages 217-242

3. Clinical Issues

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 243-243

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   2. Biologic and Psychosocial Determinants in the Etiology of Alcoholism

      • M. Jerome Fialkov

      Pages 245-263

   3. Ethanol: Effect on Fetal Brain Growth and Development

      • Stanley E. Fisher

      Pages 265-281

   4. Dementia Associated with Alcoholism

      • Gerald Goldstein

      Pages 283-294

   5. Wernicke—Korsakoff Syndrome

      • David A. Greenberg, Ivan Diamond

      Pages 295-314

   6. Biologic Properties of Ethanol and the Biphasic Nature of Ethanol Withdrawal Syndrome

      • Edward Majchrowicz

      Pages 315-338

4. Back Matter

   Pages 339-349

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Chronic and excessive alcohol consumption disrupts a number of biologic sys­ tems. Central nervous system pathology, associated with long-standing alcohol ingestion, has particularly deleterious consequences to the individual. Compro­ mising brain functional integrity ultimately militates against psychosocial ad­ justment, and this process is inevitably reflected as a substantial economic loss to society in the form of costs for providing medical and social services, as well as disability and absenteeism from work. This book marshals the literature pertinent to the effects of chronic alcohol abuse on brain structure and functioning. The material is divided into two parts: basic research and clinical issues. In the first section, the manifest neurologic consequences are described across the different levels of biologic organization, these being brain morphology, neurochemistry, neurophysiology, and neuro­ psychology. In recognition of the multifactorial etiology of alcohol-related brain pathology, the influence and role of hepatic, endocrine, and nutritional factors are also examined. The second section addresses clinical syndromes and dis­ orders. It will be noted that evidence accrued from recent research suggests that neurologic disturbances may actually antedate the onset of drinking in some alcoholics. Other clinically important issues discussed are the effects of alcohol on neurologic development, aging, and dementia. The book concludes with a discussion of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome, its mechanisms and manifes­ tations. A fundamental objective of the editors was to illustrate that the consequences of chronic alcohol excess can be comprehensively understood within the per­ spective of interrelated hierarchical systems of brain organization.

• Nervous System
• Syndrom
• biochemistry
• dementia
• neurophysiology
• neuropsychology
• physiology

• Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA

  Ralph E. Tarter

• Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA

  David H. Thiel

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