[Neuropsychological deficits in alcoholics: some implications for road safety]

There are various published studies showing that chronic alcoholics present cognitive deficit. In this conference we would like to review the most actual studies focusing on the neuropsychological alterations as consequences of the long and abusive alcohol intake. We also will analyse the involvement of these deficit in a complex task as driving.

The long and abusive alcohol intake produces an affectation of the central nervous system. We could observe its consequences both in short and long term. Attention and memory deficit and a slowness of information processing are very common. However, complete neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation programs are convenient. This is an important topic if we consider the high number of traffic accidents in which alcohol intake is one of the possible causes. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the persons working daily with a car, such as taxi or bus drivers, especially those of them who are alcoholics in abstinence, chronic alcoholics and people who suffer from alcohol abuse.

The control of this situation and the publicity about neuropsychological sequels of alcoholism could contribute in an efficient way towards safety in road.