Korean J Psychopharmacol.  2003 Sep;14(3):267-273.

Verbal and Visuo-Spatial Working Memory Impairments in Patients with Alcohol Dependence

• Jon DI
• Hwang SJ
• Lee HJ
• Lee BO
• Hong CH

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Although alcohol dependence is associated with a wide range of cognitive impairment, working memory function of alcohol dependence has not been well studied. The aim of this study was the assessment of working memory in alcohol dependence, the comparison of verbal and visuo-spatial working memory, and the examination of the correlations between working memory and clinical parameters. METHODS: A sample of 18 sober alcohol-dependent participants was compared with a sample of 19 controls on verbal and visuo-spatial working memory test using "2-back" system. RESULTS: Alcohol dependent participants showed the increased errors of verbal working memory. The amount of alcohol consumption during problem alcohol drinking period was correlated significantly with false positive error of verbal working memory. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that alcohol dependence impairs verbal working memory despite no impairment of intelligence. This study suggested the relationship between verbal working memory impairment and the amount of alcohol consumption.

Keyword

Alcohol dependence; Working memory; Verbal; Visuo-Spatial

MeSH Terms

Alcohol Drinking
Alcoholism*
Humans
Intelligence
Memory, Short-Term*