Difference in Cognitive Function by First Onset Age of Alcohol Induced Blackout and Its Duration

Abstract

ObjectiveAlcohol-induced blackout (blackout) is a typical early symptom of cognitive impairment caused by drinking. However, the first onset age of blackout or the duration after onset of blackout has not been directly compared in previous studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in cognitive function to the first start age of blackouts and their duration.MethodsThirty-one male subjects were included in this study. Their age at the first blackout and the duration after the onset of blackout were investigated. Neuropsychological tests were conducted to determine their attention, memory, and executive function. Subjects were divided into three groups according to their age of the first onset blackout (group O1, < 20 years; group O2, 21–39 years; and group O3, > 40 years). Subjects were also divided into three groups by duration after the onset of blackout (P1, < 10 years; P2, 10–29 years; and P3, > 30 years). We then examined differences in neurocognitive function among these groups.ResultsO1 tended to have a lower memory score than O2 (F = 3.28, p = 0.053). Significant differences were observed in attention and executive function between groups P1 and P3 (Digit Span_backward: F = 6.07, p < 0.05; visual span_forward: F = 4.19, p < 0.05; executive intelligence quotient: F = 3.55, p < 0.05).ConclusionGreater memory impairment was detected in subjects having an earlier age of the first blackout. The longer the duration after the onset of blackout, the more impaired their attention and executive function skills.

A Longitudinal Examination of Alcohol-Related Blackouts as a Predictor of Changes in Learning, Memory, and Executive Function in Adolescents

“…No significant associations were found between ARB history and performance on measures of executive function. The absence of overt changes on executive tasks is inconsistent with crosssectional data from Min et al (24), indicating that ARBs, specifically those of longer duration, were associated with lower executive function performance. However, our results are consistent with findings from Wetherill et al (86), who, using a neuroimaging paradigm, found no significant relationship between ARBs and behavioral changes in response inhibition despite underlying abnormalities in frontal activation.…”

“…For example, a study by Zamroziewicz et al (23) found that, among college students, higher ARB frequency was associated with lower performance on an event-based prospective memory task. Findings from another study in college students by Min et al (24) suggested that earlier ARB onset was related to lower non-contextual verbal memory abilities. In contrast, a longer duration of ARB history was associated with poor attention and executive function.…”

Pre-transplant Dementia is Associated with Poor Survival After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Nationwide Cohort Study with Propensity Score Matched Control

“…Thus, it has emerged as a major cause for post-transplant morbidity and mortality [ 14 ]. Once cognitive decline persists and aggravates, it can progress to dementia which is characterized as cognitive decline accompanied with deterioration in behavior and the ability to perform everyday activities [ 15 - 17 ]. Despite this importance, most studies endeavored to clarify whether cognitive function improved, declined, or remained stable after HSCT.…”