Cognitive impairment and effects of abstinence on cognition in patients with alcohol dependence syndrome
Journal Title: Medpulse International Journal of Psychology - Year 2017, Vol 4, Issue 1
Abstract
Background: Alcohol dependence continues to be one of the most costly health care problems in the world. Brain damage due to alcohol intake is more common than one may think. Consequent to brain damage, cognitive impairment has been a cause of concern. In this study, the focus is to examine the cognitive and executive function in alcohol dependence syndrome patients. Ojectives of the study were to assess different domains of cognition in patients of alcohol dependence syndrome and to reassess cognitive functioning after four weeks of abstinence. Methods: A total of 50 alcohol dependent male inpatients were recruited for this study in the age range of 20 to 50 years after exclusion of other morbidities and informed consent. Baseline demographic data of cases alongwith relevant investigations were collected in first week. Alcohol use further assessed with AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test). Baseline cognitive assesment using PGI Battery of Brain dysfunction (PGI-BBD) was done for the study group (Pre-treatment group) after detoxification i.e. 2 days after benzodiazepines were tapered off. While the management continued in maintainance phase, Cognitive assessment of the study group (now as post-treatment group) was repeated after one month. Results: The mean age of subjects in study was 38.40 years. The mean education of subjects was 10.30 years, the mean AUDIT score was 18.56. Different domains of cognition such as memory, intelligence and percepto-motor functioning with sub-domains of each were recorded. Study results had validated assumption that there is significant cognitive impairment among alcohol dependent cases. Dysfunction rates in all domains of memory, intelligence and perception improved post-treatment in the study group. Conclusion: The cognitive deficits may not be detected in routine clinical examinations, but with formal neuropsychological assessment using sensitive scales, the extent of impairment can be assessed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Awareness of alcohol’s effects on cognition can help health-care providers in addressing the problem and instituting appropriate treatment as well in further research on specific neuro-toxic effects of alcohol.
Authors and Affiliations
Prakash Ambekar, Sunil Goyal
Keywords
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