(Murcia : F. Hernández, 1990) Bengochea, O.; Gonzalo, L. M.
The effect of chronic alcoholism on the
human hippocampus was studied in 21 patients, divided
in 4 groups: Group A under 45 years, group B 46-59
years, group C 60-69, and Group D over 70 years; and
compared with age-matched control patients who died
without neurological complications. The gyrus d~ntatus
and the ammonic fields CA1 through CA4 were analyzed
by counting the number of neurons and the size of the
nuclear area. Both parameters were evaluated
statistically.
The most important findings were a high neuronal loss
in alcoholics in the first age group. In addition, the
hippocampal neurons failed to display a vicarious
reaction, since the nuclei did not show any increase in
size despite the intense neuronal loss.
Our results point out an early neuronal loss in the
hippocampus of alcoholic patients higher than agematched
controls, as well as a lack of reaction to the
neuronal insult .