Assessment of recovery of electrophysiological and neuropsychological functions in chronic alcoholics

Potential recovery of electrophysiological and neuropsychological functions was investigated in alcoholics completing treatment and controls. Event-related potentials (ERPs) and neuropsychological tests were administered initially and repeated 14 months later. Alcoholics were classified as resumers or abstainers based on consumption patterns before retest. Resumers (n = 28), abstainers (n = 44), and controls (n = 44) differed significantly on ERP measures. No test-retest or group x test-retest interactions were found, indicating little recovery or change in ERPs over time. Differences between groups could not be attributed to family history factors. For neuropsychological efficiency (Accuracy/Time) measures, significant group differences were found. All groups improved from test to retest, with resumers showing the greatest improvement. Analysis of the separate efficiency components indicated resumers' improvement was due to a decrease in performance time, whereas accuracy scores remained significantly impaired. Whether the continued deficits in ERPs and neuropsychological performance at retest is a permanent effect of alcohol abuse, or would remit over longer periods of time, or reflects premorbid deficits, remains to be investigated.