Computerized Transaxial Tomographic and Neuropsychological Evaluations in Chronic Alcoholics and Heroin Abusers

Abstract

Computerized transaxial tomographic (CTT) scans and the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery were administered to 42 paid male volunteers (15 chronic alcoholics, 15 heroin abusers, and 12 matched control subjects). CTT scans revealed that only 1 of the chronic alcoholics had a ventricle/brain (V/B) index larger than normal. One unexpected finding was that the heroin abusers had significantly smaller sulci and V/B indices. Neuropsychological assessments of the alcoholics and heroin abusers revealed functional impairment in a majority of cases; the alcoholics were twice as likely as opiate abusers to show impairment.