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Auditory brainstem potentials in sons of alcoholic fathers
H Begleiter1, B Porjesz, B Bihari
1Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York, Brooklyn 11203.
Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research
|October 1, 1987
Summary
Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) show no differences in high-risk individuals, suggesting alcohol exposure causes these deficits. However, reduced P3 amplitudes may predate alcoholism, indicating a potential predisposition.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Addiction Research
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Abstinent alcoholics exhibit sensory and cognitive deficits, including delayed auditory brainstem potentials (BSP) and reduced P3 amplitudes.
- These neurophysiological deficits are presumed to be alcohol-related, but some may predate alcohol exposure and indicate a predisposition to alcoholism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether auditory brainstem potentials (BSPs) differ in young males at high risk for alcoholism compared to controls.
- To determine if specific neurophysiological deficits observed in alcoholics are predisposing factors or consequences of alcohol exposure.
Main Methods:
- Auditory brainstem potentials (BSPs) were recorded in young boys with a high familial risk for alcoholism and in matched control subjects.
- Brainstem transmission time was analyzed to identify differences between the high-risk and control groups.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences in brainstem transmission time were found between the high-risk group and the control group.
- This contrasts with previous findings of delayed BSPs in abstinent alcoholics.
Conclusions:
- Auditory brainstem potential (BSP) deficits observed in abstinent alcoholics appear to be a consequence of alcohol and/or nutritional effects, not a predisposing factor.
- Reduced P3 amplitudes, previously observed in sons of alcoholics, may represent a predisposing factor for alcoholism, existing prior to alcohol exposure.