[Alcohol induced cognitive deficits]

Wien Med Wochenschr. 2014 Jan;164(1-2):9-14. doi: 10.1007/s10354-013-0226-0. Epub 2013 Jul 19.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Previous studies could show a complex relationship between alcohol consumption and cognition but also with processes of ageing both social and biological. Acute effects of alcohol during intoxication include clinical signs such as excitation and reduced inhibition, slurred speech, and increased reaction time but also cognitive dysfunction, especially deficits in memory functions. However, these cognitive deficits during alcohol intoxication are reversible while patients with alcohol addiction and chronic alcohol intake show severe impairments of cognitive functions especially deficits in executive functions. Frontal executive impairments in these patients include deficits in problem solving, abstraction, planning, organizing, and working memory.Additionally, gender specific deficits are relevant for the course of the disease and its concomitant health problems with female alcoholics showing a higher vulnerability for cognitive dysfunction and brain atrophy at earlier stages of alcoholism history.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alcohol Amnestic Disorder / diagnosis*
  • Alcohol Amnestic Disorder / physiopathology
  • Alcohol Amnestic Disorder / rehabilitation*
  • Atrophy
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain Mapping
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Cognition Disorders / physiopathology
  • Cognition Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Concept Formation / physiology
  • Ethanol / adverse effects
  • Executive Function
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
  • Inhibition, Psychological
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Problem Solving / physiology
  • Reaction Time / physiology
  • Speech Intelligibility

Substances

  • Ethanol