Self-rated prospective memory and central executive deficits in excessive alcohol users

This study assessed self-reported prospective memory and related central executive processes in a group of excessive alcohol users and non-users. The aim was to assess whether excessive alcohol use is associated with impairments in these two sets of memory processes.

Eighty participants from the North-East of England were tested. Of these, 40 were excessive alcohol users (using above the recommended weekly 'safe' dose of alcohol) and 40 were low-dose/non-users. Each participant was assessed using self-reports of prospective memory (PM) - measured using the Prospective Memory Questionnaire (PMQ) and central executive (CE) processes - measured using the Dysexecutive Questionnaire (DEX). Other drug use, age and strategy use were incorporated into the study as controls.

After controlling for other drug use, age, and strategy use, excessive alcohol users reported global impairments in everyday prospective memory and in their central executive processes, when compared to a low-dose/no-alcohol control group.

These findings suggest that excessive alcohol use has a detrimental impact upon everyday memory - a relatively unexplored area of research. PM and CE deficits should be added to the growing list of neuropsychological sequelae associated with chronic excessive alcohol use.