Drinking and cognitive impairment: current concepts and controversies

Abstract

The study of drinking and cognitive impairment has been very popular. Over the past 15 years much work has been conducted examining the specific characteristics of alcohol-related impairment, concurrent morphological changes and the process itself. Numerous theories have been advanced and progress has been made in a number of areas. However, at the present time the area is undergoing a period of re-evaluation. it is clear that if there is an association between alcohol consumption and cognitive impairment, there are a multitude of 'other factors' which need to be controlled for, before one can maintain that observed impairment is indeed a result of alcohol consumed.