[Computed tomographic follow-up of brain volume fluctuations before and after alcohol withdrawal treatment]

CT follow-up studies were done in 65 alcoholics before an inpatient treatment and after a period with confirmed abstinence of 5 weeks duration. The scans were rated "blind" by linear measurement of well defined distances. An improvement (significant reduction of brain "atrophy") was found in 33 patients (50.8%), 5 patients (7,7%) showed a trend towards progression of brain "atrophy". The possibility of recovery tends to be significantly greater in younger subjects. These findings and the results of recent MR follow-up studies are consistent with decreased free water during alcohol intoxication and an increase in brain water during alcohol withdrawal.