A total of 78 chronic alcoholics were examined neurologically as well as by electroneurography, myography and posturography. Clinical signs of peripheral neuropathy were detected in 45% of these patients, with electromyographic and neurographic abnormality in 67% and 55% respectively. Clinical signs of cerebellar ataxia were found in 33% of our patients, whereas posturographic measurements of increased sway were recorded in 69%. The posturographic characteristics of cerebellar anterior lobe atrophy were observed in two-thirds of the latter patients. The severity of cerebellar-ataxia did not correlate with the degree of neuropathy. This lack of correlation is interpreted as an indication of different pathogenetic mechanisms acting on peripheral nerves and cerebellum.

CT follow-up studies were done in 65 alcoholics before an inpatient treatment and after a period with confirmed abstinence of 5 weeks duration. The scans were rated "blind" by linear measurement of well defined distances. An improvement (significant reduction of brain "atrophy") was found in 33 patients (50.8%), 5 patients (7,7%) showed a trend towards progression of brain "atrophy". The possibility of recovery tends to be significantly greater in younger subjects. These findings and the results of recent MR follow-up studies are consistent with decreased free water during alcohol intoxication and an increase in brain water during alcohol withdrawal.