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Information processing deficits in withdrawing alcoholics
Author(s) -
Keedwell Paul A.,
Kumari Veena,
Poon Lucia,
Marshall E. JANE,
Checkley Stuart A.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
addiction biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.445
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1369-1600
pISSN - 1355-6215
DOI - 10.1080/13556210120056571
Subject(s) - delirium tremens , prepulse inhibition , stimulus (psychology) , psychology , startle reaction , startle response , audiology , disinhibition , moro reflex , medicine , anesthesia , psychiatry , neuroscience , reflex , psychotherapist , schizophrenia (object oriented programming)
Abstract Prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle response (a reduction in response to an intense, startling stimulus (the pulse) if preceded by 30–50 ms by a weaker, non‐startling stimulus) is an established model to index information processing deficits in thought‐disordered schizophrenic patients. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of alcohol withdrawal on the PPI effect. Eight withdrawing alcoholic patients underwent testing for PPI of the acoustic startle response (defined as percentage reduction of the response over pulse‐alone stimulus; prepulses 15 dB above the background) on three occasions (1, 3 and 7 days following the last drink). The results demonstrated remarkably low levels of PPI on days 1 and 3, with this being very robust in three patients who had a history of delirium tremens; there was a trend towards normalization of PPI on day 7. This study, although preliminary, suggests strongly that there is a deficit in the filtering of sensory information in alcohol‐dependent patients undergoing alcohol withdrawal. This was most apparent in those with a history of delirium tremens. Further studies are needed to define the cause and chronicity of these deficits.