IN VITRO PROTON MRS DETECTION OF FREQUENCY AND AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL SELF-ADMINISTRATION

摘要

In the method of the invention, in vitro proton MRS is employed to determine the measurable ethanol concentrations in ethanol-treated erythrocyte samples of occasional and heavy drinkers. An erythrocyte to plasma ethanol concentration ratio is determined based upon the MRS measured erythrocyte concentration. Erythrocyte to plasma ethanol concentration ratios are significantly greater for heavy drinkers (a subset of alcohol tolerant individuals) as compared to the ratios calculated for occasional drinkers (non-tolerant individuals) when erythrocyte ethanol concentration is determined by MRS. Thus, the method of the present invention discriminates between alcohol tolerant individuals and alcohol non-tolerant individuals based upon the magnitude of the erythrocyte to plasma ethanol concentration ratio obtained according to the methods disclosed herein.