Changes in neuropsychological functioning during alcohol detoxification

V Manning, S Wanigaratne, David Best, RG Hill, LJ Reed, D Ball, J Marshall, M Gossop, J Strang

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

    38 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    This study investigates changes in neuropsychological functioning during early abstinence from alcohol. 30 alcohol-dependent inpatients were tested at intake (day 4 of admission) and post detoxification (day 26), using a test-retest design. The neuropsychological battery included measures of pre-morbid IQ, full-scale IQ, verbal and non-verbal measures of memory and executive function. IQ was within the normal range at intake and comparable with age-adjusted normative values and there were some impairments in memory and executive function. There were significant increases in performance scores post detoxification in working memory, verbal fluency and verbal inhibition but not in non-verbal executive function tasks (mental flexibility and planning ability). Despite increased scores on tests of verbal and memory skills after 3 weeks of abstinence, complex executive abilities showed little change. These may have a negative impact on engagement and response to treatment and compromise clinical outcomes, heightening the risk of relapse. Copyright (C) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)226-233
    Number of pages8
    JournalEuropean Addiction Research
    Volume14
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2008

    Keywords

    • cognitive impairment
    • detoxification
    • executive functioning
    • neuropsychological impairment, recovery
    • neuropsychological functioning
    • alcohol dependence
    • memory

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