HOW ALCOHOL AFFECTS THE BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR?

How Alcohol Affects the Brain and Behavior?



How Alcohol Affects the Brain and Behavior?

Introduction

As understanding increases regarding the effects of alcohol and other drugs on the brain, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the use of most drugs is accompanied by short- and long-term changes in cognitive abilities such as attention, learning, memory, and problem solving. This paper discusses how alcohol affects the brain and behavior in a concise way.

How Alcohol Affects the Brain and Behavior? A Brief Reflection

Allen, et al (2007) mentions alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that has been shown to produce both acute neurocognitive impairment (associated with intoxication and withdrawal) and long-term deficits, some which gradually resolve in those who abstain from alcohol consumption and others that appear to persist indefinitely (Allen, et al, 2007). In extreme cases in which there has been prolonged heavy use, dementia or amnestic disorder may also occur, which causes severe neurocognitive deterioration. In the following sections, neurocognitive deficits without dementia and amnestic disorder are discussed first. This discussion is divided into three time periods following cessation of alcohol use and the deficits that occur during these time periods: acute deficits (first week of abstinence), short-term deficits (2-5 weeks after abstinence), and long-term deficits (13 months or more after abstinence). Alcohol-induced persisting dementia, amnestic disorder (Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome), and hepatic encephalopathy are then discussed (Allen, et al, 2007).

Acute Deficits

Common neurological symptoms of alcohol intoxication are slurred speech, ataxia, incoordination, and nystagmus (involuntary eye movements). Psychological symptoms such as fluctuations in mood state and impaired cognitive abilities (memory, attention, and judgment) are also present. Physiological dependence develops after heavy prolonged consumption, and withdrawal usually occurs within 4 to 12 hours of drinking cessation, and almost always within 48 hours (Allen, et al, 2007). Withdrawal symptoms vary in severity, and most resolve within 1 week. Neurocognition is most significantly impaired immediately after cessation of alcohol use during this period of withdrawal. In younger individuals, this impairment gradually improves over 3 to 4 weeks. Older individuals exhibit slower recovery. During the first and second weeks of sobriety, performance on tasks assessing intellectual functioning, memory, and visual motor skills often shows marked improvement. This spontaneous improvement probably results not only from abstinence but also from other factors, such as improved nutrition. However, this spontaneous improvement in neurocognition is diminished or reversed if the individual resumes drinking (Lezak, et al, 2004).

Short-Term ...