Brain alcohol detectability increase with repeated administration in humans: A proton spectroscopy study

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Abstract
Proton MRS was used to detect brain alcohol after repeated alcohol exposure in human subjects. MRS detectability measurements were made after administration of an alcoholic drink (0.6 g/kg alcohol) and after an identical drink administered 6 h later. Between-drink differences in the methyl proton triplet resonance of ethyl alcohol were assessed at statistically equivalent and near-peak blood alcohol concentrations (reflecting brain alcohol concentrations) and statistically equivalent internal standard N-acetyl resonance areas after Drinks 1 and 2, respectively. Brain alcohol detectability was not altered in TE 30-ms spectra but was increased in all five subjects after Drink 2 by an average of 70% in TE 270-ms spectra (P < 0.01). This was accompanied by significant between-drink differences in subjective ratings of alcohol's effects, suggestive of induction of acute alcohol tolerance. These findings suggest increased brain alcohol detectability in TE 270-ms spectra after repeated alcohol exposure that may reflect acute alcohol tolerance.
Funding Information
  • NIDA (DA00064, DA00101, DA04059)
  • NIAAA (AA06252)