Aging, alcoholism, and performance on the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery

The Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery (LNNB) was used to test the hypothesis that alcoholism produces premature or accelerated aging. This hypothesis was tested by the interaction between age (in individuals ranging from 30 to 76 years of age) and alcoholism (nonalcoholics vs. alcoholics). No evidence was observed in support of the hypothesis. Additionally, the differences in LNNB performance found among age groups were different from those found between the alcoholics and nonalcoholics. This suggests that different mechanisms may be associated with age-related psychological deficits as compared with psychological dysfunction associated with alcoholism.