Sex differences in the effects of low doses of ethanol on human reaction time

Ethanol at 0.76 ml kg-1 (orally) produced a significant (P < 0.05) lengthening of the reaction time in male volunteers between 0.5 h and 1.5 h post-drink and in females at 1.5 h post-drink. Reaction times in both sexes wree prolonged by 0.15 ml kg-1 ethanol. Blood ethanol levels were not significantly different between males and females at 0.5 h or 1.5 h after drinking 0.76 ml kg-1. Male subjects had significantly faster reaction times than females (P < 0.01) prior to consumption of ethanol.