Neuropsychological Investigation of Brain Lesion Localization in Alcoholism

While a variety of behavioral deficits have been associated with chronic alcoholism, there is still an incomplete understanding of the relationship between these deficits and their basis in central nervous system changes. One aspect of the problem has to do with structural changes in localized areas of the brain. It has been proposed that certain brain structures are particularly sensitive to the effects of alcoholism and deteriorate more readily than do other structures. For example, the effects of alcohol on cerebellar function are well known. With regard to the cerebral hemispheres, however, controversy remains.