Background

Alcohol, a known addictive substance, affects the structural properties of the brain. In this study, we explored associations between alcohol use and gray matter properties among firefighters, who are often exposed to significant occupational stress.

Methods

Gray matter volume (GMV) was evaluated using voxel-based morphometry in 287 male firefighters (mean age: 48.8±7.7 years). Firefighters were classified into 32 never-drinkers, 162 non-heavy alcohol users, and 93 heavy alcohol users according to their alcohol consumption. GMV was compared between groups, and the correlations between GMV and alcohol use were investigated. A voxel-wise height threshold of p < 0.001 (uncorrected) was used, with small volume correction applied on cluster level.

Results

Heavy alcohol users had lower GMV in the bilateral thalamus than non-heavy alcohol users or never-drinkers. Heavy alcohol users also showed lower GMV in the left insula, compared to other groups. The higher the alcohol consumption among firefighters, the lower the GMV of the right thalamus.

Conclusions

The results of this study show that heavy alcohol use has an association with lower GMV in several core regions, including the thalamus. When considering the impact of these brain regions on cognitive and behavioral control, our findings suggest a need for concern about heavy alcohol use among firefighters.

中文翻译：

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大量饮酒的消防员丘脑灰质体积改变

背景

酒精，一种已知的成瘾物质，会影响大脑的结构特性。在这项研究中，我们探讨了消防员的酒精使用与灰质特性之间的关联，这些消防员经常受到严重的职业压力。

方法

使用基于体素的形态测量法对 287 名男性消防员（平均年龄：48.8±7.7 岁）进行灰质体积 (GMV) 评估。消防员根据饮酒量分为32名从不饮酒者、162名非重度饮酒者和93名重度饮酒者。比较组间的GMV，并研究GMV与饮酒之间的相关性。使用 p < 0.001（未校正）的体素高度阈值，在集群级别应用小体积校正。

结果

重度饮酒者双侧丘脑的 GMV 低于非重度饮酒者或从不饮酒者。与其他组相比，重度饮酒者的左脑岛 GMV 也较低。消防员饮酒量越高，右侧丘脑的GMV越低。

结论

这项研究的结果表明，重度饮酒与包括丘脑在内的几个核心区域的 GMV 较低​​有关。在考虑这些大脑区域对认知和行为控制的影响时，我们的研究结果表明需要关注消防员大量饮酒的问题。