Demyelination of Corpus Callosum in Chronic Alcoholism

Marchiafava-Bignami's Disease

Abstract

The transudation of a dernyelinating edema through altered blood vessel walls represents the pathogenesis of the demyelination of the corpus callosum in chronic alcoholics (Marchiafava-Bignami's disease); a very probable B₁-hypovitaminosis, caused by chronic alcoholic intoxication, seems to be responsible of such vessel walls alterations, Further studies are requested to explain the anatomical substrate of this affection; until today, the highest percentage of Italian reports, leads to suppose the existence of a predisposing racial or costitutional factor.