Dr. Adolf Pfefferbaum, who has been at the forefront of research using quantitative neuroimaging to study the effects of chronic alcohol abuse on living brain structure, will discuss these studies when he gives the 2003 Mark Keller Honorary Lecture on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 1:30 p.m. in Masur Auditorium, Bldg. 10. Pfefferbaum is professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at Stanford University School of Medicine, and director of the Neuroscience Program, SRI International, Menlo Park, Calif.

Dr. Adolf Pfefferbaum Titled "Alcohol-induced Insult to the Living Brain: Views from Magnetic Resonance Imaging," Pfefferbaum's talk will review the ways in which magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to identify the location, nature and extent of alcohol's deleterious effects on the brain. As a result of the degradation of brain structure revealed by MRI studies, the range of neural systems alcoholics have to draw on in completing cognitive tasks is narrowed. The limits on higher-order cognitive capacity due to alcohol-induced brain damage may sustain the propensity to engage in harmful drinking and enable the alcohol dependence syndrome. Recognizing the role of alcohol-induced insult to the brain in continued harmful drinking is an essential step toward developing successful regimes for prevention, treatment and cure of alcohol abuse and alcoholism. CME credit is offered. For more information visit www.niaaa.nih.gov and go to Conferences/Events.