Cognitive impairment and cerebral atrophy in “heavy drinkers”

Brain Morphometry and Cognitive Performance in Detoxified Alcohol-Dependents with Preserved Psychosocial Functioning

“…Despite marked decreases in the volume of the frontal regions during long-term severe alcohol-dependence, previous studies failed to show significant relationship between the volume of these regions and executive function deficits (Ratti et al, 1999;Wang et al, 1993). However, these studies focused on particular brain regions, which may explain the lack of relationship found between volumes and neuropsychological deficits.…”

Chronic Smoking Is Associated With Differential Neurocognitive Recovery in Abstinent Alcoholic Patients: A Preliminary Investigation

“…Although the nature and level of impairment may vary considerably across individuals, studies have consistently reported that AUD are specifically associated with dysfunction in cognitive efficiency Parsons, 1991, 1992;Lawton-Craddock et al, 2003;Nixon and Parsons, 1991;Nixon et al, 1995), executive skills (Bechara et al, 2001;Ihara et al, 2000;Moselhy et al, 2001;Sullivan et al, 2000b), learning and memory (Beatty et al, 1996;Brandt et al, 1983;Di Sclafani et al, 1995;Fama et al, 2004;Fein et al, 1990;Munro et al, 2000;Ratti et al, 1999;Rourke and Grant, 1999), processing speed (Davies et al, 2005;Parsons, 1998;Schulte et al, 2005), visuospatial skills (Beatty et al, 1996;Munro et al, 2000;Sullivan et al, 2000b), working memory (Brandt et al, 1983;Ratti et al, 1999), and gait and postural stability (Sullivan, 2003;Sullivan et al, 1995Sullivan et al, , 2000b. In those who manifest neurocognitive dysfunction after acute detoxification, variable levels of recovery are apparent with short-term (i.e., 1-5 months; Mann et al, 1999;Munro et al, 2000), intermediate-term (i.e., 6-12 months; Munro et al, 2000), and long-term abstinence from alcohol (i.e., 41 year; Fein et al, 2006;Mann et al, 1999;Munro et al, 2000;Reed et al, 1992;Rourke and Grant, 1999;…”

Prior alcohol consumption does not impair go/no-go discrimination learning, but causes over-responding on go trials, in rats

“…Detoxified alcoholics exhibit many cognitive deficits suggestive of prefrontal cortex dysfunction when tested three weeks to a month after the last alcohol exposure (Ratti et al 1999;Sullivan et al 2000), with some symptoms remaining for up to two months or even beyond (Fein et al 1990). One domain that appears to be impaired after the cessation of alcohol is impulsivity/inhibitory control (Verdejo-Garcia et al 2008).…”