Microstructural alterations of an orbital and medial prefrontal network in patients with alcohol dependence as detected by voxel-based Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Aims: To comprehensively assess the microstructural integrity of white matter pathways, we performed voxel-based Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) in subjects with alcohol dependence undergoing detoxification. In contrast to a predefined region approach the whole brain was assessed in an exploratory fashion without a priori assumptions about the structures to be investigated. Methods: 21 adult alcoholics (16 men) and 22 age-matched control subjects were enrolled in the study. DTI (25 directions) was performed on a 1.5T neuro-optimized GE-scanner at least one week after the detoxification had been started. Images we…