J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2000 Sep;39(5):944-954.

Effects of Alcohol on EEG, Event Related Potential P300, and Neurocognitive Function in Patients with Alcohol Dependence

• Han SI
• Jeon YW
• Lee CU

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to determine whether patients with alcohol dependence do have brain dysfunction by auditory event related potential P300, EEG, and neuro-cognitive function test or not.
METHODS
Subjects were composed of patients with alcohol dependence (N=33) and normal controls (N=67). P300 was determined by conventional method, Global Field Power method, and modified method. Also Korea Wechsler Intelligence Scale, Wechsler Memory Scale, and Trail Making B were tested. Spectral EEG was analyzed by the ranges of Hz, delta (delta, 1-3.5Hz), theta (theta, 4-7.5Hz), alpha(alpha, 8-13Hz), and beta(beta, 13.5-18Hz), and compared by relative power.
RESULTS
In patients with alcohol dependence, P300 was smaller and later, and there was no difference between the measurement methods of P300. Lower IQ score was shown in patients with alcohol dependence, but it did not affect the P300 results. It took more time to perform Trail Making B test in patients with alcohol dependence, but there was no difference between groups in Wechsler Memory Scale. Spectrum EEG was shown as similar patterns.
CONCLUSION
It suggests that patients with alcohol dependence have brain dysfunction in some neurophysiological aspects, regardless of intelligence. And frontal lobe dysfunction might be more severe than temporal one in patients with alcohol dependence.

Keyword

Alcohol dependence; EEG; P300; Neurocognitive function

MeSH Terms

Alcoholism*
Brain
Electroencephalography*
Frontal Lobe
Humans
Intelligence
Korea
Memory