The effect of 0.1-0.25 mg/dm3 of breath alcohol concentration on cognitive functions in alcohol nondependent young adults

Abstract

Alcohol dependency has been connected to altered brain activity and cognitive decline. However, data regarding the influence of acute and low-to-mod-erate alcohol use on cognition are inconsistent. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of 0.1-0.25 mg/dm3 of breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) on cognitive functions such as attention, perception, psychomotor speed and visual-spatial functions, in 50 young alcohol nondependent adults. We observed a worsening in focus attention measured with Cross Apparatus following the consumption of a given dose of alcohol. We also revealed the occurrence of learning effect in measures of attention and psychomotor speed. However this effect was significantly weakened in participants who were intoxicated in the first testing. We concluded that the studied concentration of alcohol may have a negative effect on focused attention and ability to benefit from previous experience which are crucial for complex behaviours, such as driving.