Hyperactivity and alcoholism: familial and behavioral correlates

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Addiction Research

Background:

• Childhood MBD/hyperactivity is a potential risk factor for adult alcoholism.
• Understanding the interplay between childhood MBD/hyperactivity, family history, and alcoholism outcomes is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between childhood MBD/hyperactivity, familial alcoholism, and alcoholism severity.
• To examine associations with current psychopathology and behavioral impulsivity/attentional control in male alcoholic inpatients.

Main Methods:

• Study included 33 male VA alcoholic inpatients screened for neurological, medical, and psychiatric comorbidities.
• Data collected on childhood MBD/hyperactivity, familial alcoholism history, psychopathology, and impulsivity/attentional control measures.

Main Results:

• Higher childhood MBD/hyperactivity scores correlated with increased psychopathology and adverse alcoholism effects.
• Subjects with a family history of alcoholism reported significantly more childhood MBD/hyperactivity.
• No significant group differences were observed in impulsivity or attentional control measures.

Conclusions:

• Childhood MBD/hyperactivity appears to be associated with greater psychopathology and alcoholism severity.
• Familial alcoholism history may be linked to a higher prevalence of childhood MBD/hyperactivity.
• Impulsivity and attentional control measures did not differentiate groups in this study sample.