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Disruption of Frontal Lobe Neural Synchrony During Cognitive Control by Alcohol Intoxication
Published on: February 6, 2019
Problematic Alcohol Use and Decision-Making in High-Functioning Young Adults: roles of Fluid Intelligence, Risk
Nicolás Guillermo González1,2, Sofia Rodriguez Lopez de Osornio3, Sofia Lynch3
1National University of Tucumán, Argentina.
Substance Use & Misuse
|May 15, 2026
Summary
Problematic alcohol use in young adults is linked to poorer decision-making, especially in men. This study highlights the impact of alcohol use on cognitive functions like risk assessment in non-clinical populations.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Problematic alcohol use is prevalent in young adults.
- Alcohol's influence on decision-making is understudied in non-clinical groups.
- This research investigates alcohol use and decision-making in high-functioning young adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if problematic alcohol use predicts decision-making performance.
- To examine the moderating role of sex in this relationship.
- To add to the understanding of alcohol's cognitive effects in young adults.
Main Methods:
- 133 participants (18-25 years) completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), risk perception scales, fluid intelligence tests, and the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT).
- Multiple linear regression analyzed the predictive relationship between AUDIT scores and IGT performance.
- Moderation analysis explored the interaction between alcohol use and sex.
Main Results:
- Higher AUDIT scores correlated with worse IGT performance, indicating impaired decision-making.
- Fluid intelligence positively predicted decision-making performance.
- The association between problematic alcohol use and decision-making was significant primarily in men.
Conclusions:
- Non-clinical problematic alcohol use negatively impacts decision-making in young adults.
- Men with problematic alcohol use show greater deficits in decision-making.
- Findings underscore the importance of addressing alcohol use for cognitive health in young adults.
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