Acute Alcohol Administration and Placebo Effectiveness in Older Moderate Drinkers: Influences on Cognitive Performance

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Objective: Placebo effectiveness and subsequent influence on cognitive performance were investigated in older moderate drinkers (ages 50-69; N = 30; 15 men) following acute alcohol administration. Method: Double-blind, placebo-controlled alcohol administration techniques were designed to produce peak breath alcohol concentration levels consistent with an episode of social drinking (~40 mg/100 ml). Cognitive performance, measured via a covert attentional processing task, was assessed. Participants were also asked to rate their perceived levels of intoxication and impairment. Results: The placebo beverage was effective in older moderate drinkers, with 63% of participants who received placebo reporting that they received alcohol. Placebo beverage effectiveness influenced cognitive performance. Participants who received placebo, but reported they received alcohol, demonstrated slower reaction times on the covert attentional processing task, similar to those receiving alcohol. Placebo effects did not influence accuracy on the covert attentional processing task or self-reported measures of intoxication and impairment. As expected, participants who received alcohol had less accuracy on the covert attentional processing task and more self-reported impairment and intoxication than those who received placebo, regardless of placebo effectiveness. Conclusions: These results suggest that belief of having received a moderate dose of alcohol has an effect on reaction time similar to that of its pharmacological effect in older moderate drinkers. Although placebo effects are not novel, these findings suggest that cognitive processes are differentially affected. The study of moderate doses and more complex real-world tasks is an important next step. (J.

The effects of acute alcohol on psychomotor, set-shifting, and working memory performance in older men and women

“…Despite numerous investigations of alcohol’s chronic effects, relatively little work has been directed to the study of acute alcohol effects among older adults. The few reports that are available vary in the age ranges and alcohol doses (see Davies & Bowen, 1999; Gilbertson, Prather, & Nixon, 2010) or fail to control for breath alcohol concentrations (BrACs; see Schaller et al, 2010 & Sengul et al, 2011), making systematic comparison difficult. Even when controlling for such factors, preliminary findings are not entirely consistent.…”

A new paradigm for credibly administering placebo alcohol to underage drinkers

“…In spite of this general heterogeneity, many studies purport successful placebo deception when participants indicate they consumed any quantity of alcohol (Abrams & Wilson, 1979, Gilbertson et al, 2010; Kreusch et al, 2013; Morrison et al, 2012). Using that criterion, we would have achieved a 100% rate of successful deception.…”

“…One common approach is to ask participants whether or not they received alcohol during the experiment, with those indicating “yes” considered deceived. Using this dichotomous criterion, deception rates in published studies have ranged from 59% to 100% (Abrams & Wilson, 1979, Gilbertson, Prather, & Nixon, 2010; Kreusch, Vilenne, & Quertemont, 2013). Other studies have evaluated placebo deception by asking participants to estimate how much alcohol they consumed, or the alcohol content of their drink.…”

Age‐Related Effects of Alcohol from Adolescent, Adult, and Aged Populations Using Human and Animal Models

“…This trade‐off was not found in older adults receiving placebo or in either group of younger adults. However, further analysis revealed older adults given placebo, who believed they had received alcohol, displayed trade‐offs similar to those given the active dose (Gilbertson et al., ).…”