The Effects of Cognitive Impulsivity on the Duration of Remission in Alcohol-Dependent Patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impulsivity manifesting in impaired inhibitory control and decision-making impulsivity is observed both in alcohol-dependent and substance-dependent individuals and may affect the ability to maintain long-term (persistent) remission.
 AIM: To evaluate the effects of cognitive parameters of impulsivity on the duration of remission in alcohol-dependent patients.
 METHODS: The study included 83 patients with alcohol dependence and 51 mentally healthy study subjects as the control group. The distribution of patients by duration of remission was based on the DSM-5 criteria. Patients were divided into two groups according to the duration of their most recent remission: patients with early remission (n=48) and patients with sustained remission (n=35). Impulsivity was assessed using the Go/No-Go task, which included a response inhibition component (inhibitory control). Choice impulsivity was assessed using two cognitive tests that encompass its separate components: decision-making under risk (Cambridge Gambling Task, CGT), and decision making under uncertainty (Iowa Gambling Task, IGT).
 RESULTS: The study groups (patients and the controls) differed significantly in all domains of impulsivity: decision making under risk [GT: decision making quality (H(2, N=134)=30.233, p 0.001) and decision-making time (H(2, N=134)=18.433, p 0.001)] and decision making under uncertainty [IGT: selecting cards from “losing” decks (H(2, N=134)=9.291, p=0.009)]. The group of patients with sustained alcohol remission was characterized by longer decision times in CGT compared to the group of patients with early remission (z=2.398, p=0.049). Decision quality in CGT (z=0.673, p=0.999) and IGT scores (z=1.202, p=0.687) were not statistically significantly different between the groups of patients with sustained and early remission from alcohol dependence. The assessment of impulsive actions showed that the study groups were significantly different in terms of their ability to suppress their dominant behavioral response when performing the GNG task [false presses when seeing the “No-Go” signal (H(2, N=134)=28.851, p 0.001)]. The group of patients in sustained remission from alcohol dependence was characterized by better suppression of the behavioral response to the “No-Go” signal relative to the patients in early remission [H(2, N=134)=2.743, p=0.044)]. The regression analysis showed that the decision-making quality (t=2.507, р=0.049) and decision-making time (t=3.237, р=0.031) and the number of false presses when seeing the “No-Go” signal in the GNC task had a statistically significant impact on the duration of remission (t=3.091, р=0.043).
 CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that impaired decision-making processes and the ability to inhibit the dominant behavioral response have a significant impact on the ability of alcohol-dependent patients to maintain long-term remission.