Related Experiment Videos
Impaired upper limb coordination in alcoholic cerebellar degeneration
D Johnson-Greene1, K M Adams, S Gilman
1Psychology Service, Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Medical Center, USA. johnsong@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu
Archives of Neurology
|April 1, 1997
Summary
Alcoholic cerebellar degeneration (ACD) causes cognitive deficits similar to general alcoholism. However, ACD patients show significantly worse upper limb motor coordination, detectable with specific tests.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Alcohol-related disorders
Background:
- Alcoholic cerebellar degeneration (ACD) is a severe consequence of chronic alcoholism and malnutrition.
- ACD presents with cognitive issues, gait ataxia, and truncal instability, often sparing upper limb coordination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare cognitive deficits in patients with ACD versus severe alcoholism without ACD.
- To assess differences in upper limb motor coordination between these two patient groups.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 56 patients with severe chronic alcoholism (13 with ACD, 43 without ACD).
- Utilized the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery, including the Tactual Performance Test and Grooved Pegboard Test, for cognitive and motor function assessment.
Main Results:
- No significant upper limb coordination impairment was observed during clinical neurological exams in either group.
- Both groups exhibited executive function deficits, but ACD patients demonstrated greater upper limb coordination impairment on the Tactual Performance Test and Grooved Pegboard Test.
Conclusions:
- Patients with ACD and severe alcoholism without ACD share similar cognitive deficits.
- Upper extremity motor function is more impaired in ACD patients, a deficit revealed by quantitative motor tasks.