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Associations between alcohol consumption and gray and white matter volumes in the UK Biobank

Author

Listed:
  • Remi Daviet

    (University of Wisconsin–Madison)

  • Gökhan Aydogan

    (University of Zurich)

  • Kanchana Jagannathan

    (University of Pennsylvania)

  • Nathaniel Spilka

    (University of Pennsylvania)

  • Philipp D. Koellinger

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison
    Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • Henry R. Kranzler

    (University of Pennsylvania
    Crescenz VAMC)

  • Gideon Nave

    (University of Pennsylvania)

  • Reagan R. Wetherill

    (University of Pennsylvania)

Abstract

Heavy alcohol consumption has been associated with brain atrophy, neuronal loss, and poorer white matter fiber integrity. However, there is conflicting evidence on whether light-to-moderate alcohol consumption shows similar negative associations with brain structure. To address this, we examine the associations between alcohol intake and brain structure using multimodal imaging data from 36,678 generally healthy middle-aged and older adults from the UK Biobank, controlling for numerous potential confounds. Consistent with prior literature, we find negative associations between alcohol intake and brain macrostructure and microstructure. Specifically, alcohol intake is negatively associated with global brain volume measures, regional gray matter volumes, and white matter microstructure. Here, we show that the negative associations between alcohol intake and brain macrostructure and microstructure are already apparent in individuals consuming an average of only one to two daily alcohol units, and become stronger as alcohol intake increases.

Suggested Citation

  • Remi Daviet & Gökhan Aydogan & Kanchana Jagannathan & Nathaniel Spilka & Philipp D. Koellinger & Henry R. Kranzler & Gideon Nave & Reagan R. Wetherill, 2022. "Associations between alcohol consumption and gray and white matter volumes in the UK Biobank," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-28735-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28735-5
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