[Cognitive deficits in alcoholics--significance of cognitive evoked potentials (P-300)]

Method of event related potential has proved to be very useful in estimation of higher nerve functions damage, especially P-300 component as a precise indicator of cognitive and perceptual functioning. According to data available in literature, significant degree of correlation exists between evoked potential parameters (amplitude and latency) and deficit of psychic functions. The sample consisted of 37 patients (male and female) who had signs or alcohol-induced organic mental disorder (according to ICD-10). "Oddball" paradigm of P-300 was used. The results were compared with control group of 20 healthy persons. The results emphasized lower amplitude and prolonged latencies in the group of alcoholics. These findings were more significant in female subsample and may suggest that females are more vulnerable to alcohol than males. Our findings lead to the conclusion that method of event related potential (P-300) may help in estimating organic deficit in alcoholic patients.