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Problematic alcohol use and reduced hippocampal volume: a meta-analytic review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 April 2017

S. Wilson ,
J. L. Bair ,
K. M. Thomas  and
W. G. Iacono
S. Wilson*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, 75 E River Rd, Minneapolis, MN, USA
J. L. Bair
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, 75 E River Rd, Minneapolis, MN, USA
K. M. Thomas
Affiliation:
Institute of Child Development, 51 E River Rd, Minneapolis, MN, USA
W. G. Iacono
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, 75 E River Rd, Minneapolis, MN, USA
*
*Address for correspondence: S. Wilson, Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, 75 E River Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Background

A number of studies reports reduced hippocampal volume in individuals who engage in problematic alcohol use. However, the magnitude of the difference in hippocampal volume between individuals with v. without problematic alcohol use has varied widely, and there have been null findings. Moreover, the studies comprise diverse alcohol use constructs and samples, including clinically significant alcohol use disorders and subclinical but problematic alcohol use (e.g. binge drinking), adults and adolescents, and males and females.

Methods

We conducted the first quantitative synthesis of the published empirical research on associations between problematic alcohol use and hippocampal volume. In total, 23 studies were identified and selected for inclusion in the meta-analysis; effects sizes were aggregated using a random-effects model.

Results

Problematic alcohol use was associated with significantly smaller hippocampal volume (d = −0.53). Moderator analyses indicated that effects were stronger for clinically significant v. subclinical alcohol use and among adults relative to adolescents; effects did not differ among males and females.

Conclusions

Problematic alcohol use is associated with reduced hippocampal volume. The moderate overall effect size suggests the need for larger samples than are typically included in studies of alcohol use and hippocampal volume. Because the existing literature is almost entirely cross-sectional, future research using causally informative study designs is needed to determine whether this association reflects premorbid risk for the development of problematic alcohol use and/or whether alcohol has a neurotoxic effect on the hippocampus.

Keywords

Alcohol usehippocampal volumemeta-analysis
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 47 , Issue 13 , October 2017 , pp. 2288 - 2301
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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