Computerized measures of CT scans of alcoholics: Thalamic region related to memory

Abstract

CT scans of 24 chronic alcoholics were analyzed by computer. Measures of thalamic CT density numbers and third ventricle/intracranial width ratio, as well as supraventricular measures of frontal and parietal CT density numbers, sulcal fluid area, and sulcal fluid volume, were obtained. Tests of long- and short-term memory and visuoperceptive functions were also administered. Results showed that alcoholics' long-term (but not short-term) memory performance correlates significantly with thalamic CT density numbers in the region of the dorsomedial nucleus and with third ventricle/intracranial width ratio, but not with supraventricular CT measures. These findings support the conclusions that (1) the midline thalamic region is involved in the mediation of long-term memory; (2) long- and short-term memory are separable on an anatomical as well as psychological basis; (3) there is a continuum of cognitive impairment encompassing alcoholic Korsakoff patients at one end of the spectrum and alcohol abusers at the other end and (4) computerized CT scan measures, including CT density numbers, contribute significantly to alcoholic CT research methodology.