Twenty-three LTAA (abstinent 7.91 ± 7.80 years) were compared to 23 gender and age (35–60 years) comparable NSAC, as described in (Camchong et al., 2013b). LTAA met DSM-IV lifetime criteria for alcohol dependence (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) but not for lifetime abuse or dependence on any other drugs of abuse (other than nicotine or caffeine). Inclusion criteria for the NSAC group was a lifetime drinking average of < 30 standard drinks per month with no periods of drinking > 60 drinks per month, and no lifetime history of alcohol or substance abuse or dependence. Participants received monetary compensation for their participation. Exclusion criteria for both groups included: a) a significant history of head trauma or cranial surgery; b) current or lifetime history of diabetes, stroke, or hypertension that required medical intervention; c) current or lifetime history of a significant neurological disorder, including dementia; d) clinical or laboratory evidence of active hepatic disease; e) clinical evidence for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, and f) lifetime diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder, f) contraindications to MRI. All subjects completed signed informed consent, as approved by our institutional review board (E&I Review Services, LLC, Corte Madera, CA), before study procedures commenced.
