Abstract

Introduction: Alcohol abuse constitutes a worldwide social and health problem which is associated with a variety of neurocognitive changes. The precise neurophysiological basis of these changes is not yet fully understood. In chronic alcoholics specific deficits are often observed in their perceptual capabilities, motor control, problem solving abilities and memory function. This study was aimed to compare the critical flicker fusion frequency (CFFF) and finger tapping test to diagnose neurocognitive function loss in chronic alcoholics. Methodology: A total of 91 subjects, 48 chronic alcoholic subjects and 43 non alcoholic subjects aged between 25 to 50 years were included in this study. All participants underwent the CFF test using Nethra CFFF device (Mavom labs pvt.ltd) built on python free source software and finger tapping test by counting device through Audacity (Cross-Platform Sound Editor) to record inter twitch interval. The testing procedures were repeated three times to ensure that the subject was sufficiently familiar with it before CFF & finger tapping test measurements were initiated. Results: The present data reports CFFF and inter twitch interval in chronic alcoholics and healthy age matched controls (non alcoholics). The Mean CFFF in chronic alcoholics is 35.58±0.52 Hz which is significantly lesser than non-alcoholics i.e, 39.46 ± 0.39 Hz (P value<0.001). Inter twitch interval (ITI) determined from finger tapping test in both groups. The mean ITI in chronic alcoholics is 311±7.73 ms, which is also significantly slower than control group 244 ± 5.07 ms (P value<0.001). Conclusion: The results of the current study conclude that, chronic alcoholism decreases the temporal cognition and fine motor skills.

Authors and Affiliations