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Discriminating neuropsychological sequelae of head injury from alcohol‐ABUSE‐induced deficits: A review and analysis
Author(s) -
Mearns Jack,
LeesHaley Paul R.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/1097-4679(199309)49:5<714::aid-jclp2270490515>3.0.co;2-h
Subject(s) - abstinence , psychology , neuropsychology , head injury , alcohol dependence , cognition , alcohol abuse , clinical psychology , alcohol , neuropsychological assessment , cognitive disorder , psychiatry , developmental psychology , cognitive impairment , biochemistry , chemistry
Alcohol abuse is linked strongly with neuropsychological deficits that may resemble deficits seen in head‐injured individuals. Heavy daily drinking appears more damaging than episodic abusive consumption. Cognitive deficits associated with alcohol include abstraction, perceptuospatial, and problem‐ solving skills. Verbal abilities are spared. For alcoholics younger than 40, abstinence is associated with improved functioning. For those over 40, deficits may be permanent. Intelligence tests are unlikely to pick up alcohol‐induced deficits. Points for neuropsychologists to consider in differentiating between head injury and alcohol‐induced deficits include abstinence from drinking prior to testing, intactness of remote memory and verbal functions, and changes in tolerance for alcohol.