Cigarette Smoking Exacerbates Chronic Alcohol‐Induced Brain Damage: A Preliminary Metabolite Imaging Study

Abstract

These human in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging findings indicate that chronic cigarette smoking exacerbates chronic alcohol-induced neuronal injury and cell membrane damage in the frontal lobes of RAs and has independent adverse effects on neuronal viability and cell membranes in the midbrain and on cell membranes of the cerebellar vermis. Higher smoking levels are associated with metabolite concentrations in select subcortical structures. Greater consideration of the potential effects of comorbid cigarette smoking on alcohol-induced brain damage and other diseases affecting the central nervous system is warranted.