Several previous studies have reported widespread cortical thinning in people with alcohol use disorders. A new study suggests that it only takes a few months for the brain to restore itself.
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Encouraging results for people with alcohol use disorder. A new study published in the journal Alcohol shows the rapid benefits of Alcoholic withdrawalAlcoholic withdrawal on the recovery of cortex thickness in the brain. For the first time, the researchers visualized the extent to which this regeneration took place after several months of abstinence from alcohol.
Study participants with alcohol use disorder had brain scans after approximately 1 week (68 people), 1 month (88 people), and 7.3 months (40 people) of abstinence. The researchers also measured the thickness of the cortex of 45 people who had never suffered from the disorder at the start of the study, and again about 9 months later (to confirm that the areas measured had remained the same). .
A complete restoration after 7.3 months of abstinence
Specifically, the scientists recorded the cortical thickness of 34 regions. “ The study found that people who stopped drinking gained cortical thickness over time, most rapidly in the first month and continuously for 7.3 months, a period where thickness was comparable to people who did not drink. no substance use disordersalcoholalcohol », Reports a press release.
Despite these good results, the low number of participants and the lack of diversity do not allow them to be generalized. The authors specify that other variables – such as geneticgenetic and physical activity – could impact them. It is also unknown whether changes in cortex thickness have an effect on brain function.
