Electroencephalographic Investigation of Alcoholics

Abstract

In 1953 Funkhouser, Nagler & Walke published an analysis of 334 electroencephalograms recorded from 189 alcoholics. Their main result was that electroencephalographic abnormalities were to be found in 21 $% of those cases in which there was no history of convulsions. Psychotic symptoms (delirium tremens or alcoholic hallucinations) did not increase the frequency of abnormality. Where there had, on the other hand, been convulsions, the number of abnormal electroencephalograms rose to the double.Delay, Verdaux & Chanoit ( 1957) found a considerably greater proportion with abnormalities. Out of 953 alcoholics they found changes in 687, i. e. in 72 $76. These changes were, however, very small (changes in the frequency of the alpha activity, the occurrence of theta activity etc.). These authors were of the impression that the long continued abuse of alcohol causes permanent organic brain damage, and that this can be detected by electroencephalo-

Low voltage alpha EEG phenotype is associated with reduced amplitudes of alpha event-related oscillations, increased cortical phase synchrony, and a low level of response to alcohol

“…For instance, early studies have found an association between having LV EEG and alcohol dependence in primarily EuroAmerican populations (Arentsen and Sindrup, 1963; Coger et al, 1978; Jones and Holmes, 1976; Varga and Nagy, 1960), and more recently this was verified in a Hispanic population (Ehlers and Phillips, 2007). In another study a subgroup of alcoholics with anxiety disorders were found to be more likely to have a low voltage alpha EEG, as compared to non-alcoholics (Enoch et al, 1995, 1999).…”

“…For instance, in early studies, a cross-sectional association between having a relatively lower voltage EEG and alcohol dependence was found in primarily EuroAmerican populations (Arentsen and Sindrup, 1963; Coger et al, 1978; Jones and Holmes, 1976; Varga and Nagy, 1960). More recently it has been demonstrated that LVEEG records may be four times more common in some types of alcoholics, particularly those with anxiety, as compared to non-alcoholics (Enoch et al, 1995, 1999).…”

HTR3B is associated with alcoholism with antisocial behavior and alpha EEG power—an intermediate phenotype for alcoholism and co-morbid behaviors

“…Alterations in brain electrical activity have been described in both alcoholics and ASPD patients (Arentsen and Sindrup, 1963; Coger et al, 1978; Ehlers and Phillips, 2007; Enoch et al, 1999; Jones and Holmes, 1976, Lindberg et al, 2005). In this report, HTR3B was found to be associated with low alpha power in the resting EEG, an intermediate phenotype for AUD and ASPD (Lindberg et al, 2005).…”

“…Alpha power is a stable trait through healthy adulthood and is highly heritable (0.80) (Van Baal et al, 1996; van Beijsterveldt et al, 1996). Alcoholics appear to have reduced alpha power (Arentsen & Sindrup, 1963; Coger et al, 1978; Ehlers & Phillips, 2007; Enoch et al, 1999; Jones & Holmes, 1976). In a group of Finnish criminal alcoholics recruited from the same source population as one of the three samples within this study, an overall reduction in alpha power was observed in the waking EEG of participants with ASPD compared with age and gender-matched healthy controls (Lindberg et al, 2005).…”

Controlled Electroencephalographic Investigation of Patients with Neurotic Excoriations

“…In this connection it can be mentioned that a high incidence of EEG abnormalities has been found for psychopaths -particularly aggressive and in material mainly made up of men (e.g. 1,5,6,8,28). These abnormalities are normally in the form of bilateral nonspecific theta activity (nearly always involving the temporal lobes) but can be focal (particularly localized in the posterior temporal region).…”