Most MRS studies show lower levels of NAA in recently sober alcoholics relative to healthy controls in several brain regions, including frontal areas (Bendszus et al. 2001; Durazzo et al. 2004, 2010; Fein et al. 1994; Jagannathan et al. 1996; Meyerhoff et al. 2004; Schweinsburg et al. 2003; Seitz et al. 1999) and cerebellum (Bendszus et al. 2001; Durazzo et al. 2010; Jagannathan et al. 1996; Parks et al. 2002; Seitz et al. 1999). Similarly, studies in AUD patients shortly following detoxification have found low levels of Cho (Bendszus et al. 2001; Durazzo et al. 2004; Ende et al. 2005; Fein et al. 1994; Parks et al. 2002; Seitz et al. 1999), although Cho findings in AUD are less consistent (e.g., Hermann et al. 2012; Modi et al. 2011). Because these findings are prominent in white matter, it is thought that the effects of alcoholism are greater in white than in gray matter (De la Monte 1988; Harper et al. 2003).
