Showing papers in "Alcohol and Alcoholism in 1991"

The effects of alcohol and other drugs on psychomotor performance and cognitive function

Abstract: The effects of four doses of alcohol (0.25 g/kg-1 g/kg) and placebo on a standard test battery of cognitive and psychomotor performance are described. The tests included critical flicker fusion threshold, choice reaction time, tracking and memory scanning. The results of this experiment are compared with those of a number of similar studies which examined the effects of other psychoactive substances. Using relative effect sizes, the behavioural toxicity of alcohol is compared with the effects of these other drugs on psychomotor performance and cognitive function.

MDL 72222, a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, suppresses voluntary ethanol consumption in alcohol-preferring rats.

Abstract: The effect of the selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist MDL 72222 on voluntary ethanol consumption was examined in Sardinian ethanol-preferring (SP) rats in a free choice (10% ethanol and water) experiment. SP rats consumed 8.1 ± 1.1 g/kg ethanol daily. MDL 72222 treatment (3.0, 5.0 and 7.0 mg/kg i.p. 3 times daily for 6 days) inhibited ethanol consumption during the 6 days of treatment by 25%, 50% and 75%, respectively, without modifying total fluid intake. We suggest that 5-HT3 receptor activation plays a permissive role in alcohol preference.

A three-sample test of a masked alcohol screening questionnaire.

Abstract: The study tested an expanded version of a masked alcohol screening instrument developed by Wallace and Haines [Use of a questionnaire in general practice to increase recognition of patients with excessive alcohol consumption. British Medical Journal 290, 1949-1953 (1985)]. The alcohol subscales include the CAGE, consumption, trauma, medical advice, past problems, and present problems with alcohol. There is preliminary evidence of the construct validity and reliability of the Health Screening Survey (HSS). As expected the HSS was sensitive in known populations of alcoholics (0.96; 0.95) correctly identifying at least 95% of the alcoholic patients recruited from two treatment centers. Specificity was adequate with identified nonalcoholics (0.80; 0.70). It was also sensitive in a community primary care sample, correctly classifying 78% of the subjects meeting DSM-III criteria for alcohol abuse and/or dependence. There were gender differences in the validity of the subscales in the community sample with alcoholic males more likely to report problems on the questionnaire than alcoholic females. Based on results, the HSS was revised to improve validity.

Acamprosate and diazepam differentially modulate alcohol-induced behavioural and cortical alterations in rats following chronic inhalation of ethanol vapour.

Abstract: The effects of Acamprosate (the calcium salt of an acetylated form of homotaurine) and the benzodiazepine-receptor agonist Diazepam, were investigated on the alcohol-induced behavioural preference towards alcohol following chronic alcoholization by inhalation. We also examined the effects of Acamprosate and Diazepam on the blood alcohol level (BAL) and on the cortical microvascular network. Acamprosate (50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg daily per os during the alcoholization period) did not significantly reduce either BAL or alcohol-induced cortical hypervascularization. Increasing dosages of Acamprosate (i.e. 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day), however, progressively reduced preference for alcohol as expressed in a free choice beverage procedure, whereas 400 mg/kg/day of Acamprosate immediately stopped this behaviour. Acamprosate (50 mg/kg/day) also reduced the spontaneous activity of rats during the withdrawal syndrome. By contrast, Diazepam (5 mg/kg) induced inversion in the animals' choice (i.e. increased water consumption versus decreased alcohol intake) during the same experimental procedure, and potentiated the alcohol-induced hypermotility of the animals during the withdrawal syndrome without altering cortical hypervascularization. Taken together, our data provide evidence that both substances exert dose-dependent effects on preference towards alcohol, but display opposite profiles on spontaneous motor activity during the withdrawal phase without any modification of brain microvascularization or blood alcohol levels.

Relative kindling effect of detoxification and non-detoxification admissions in alcoholics

Abstract: We reviewed the histories of 340 men and 60 women who were admitted for alcohol detoxification to determine if hospitalizations unrelated to detoxification increased the prevalence of seizures observed in these patients Previous investigations on this cohort suggested that recurrent detoxification admissions increased the probability of seizure histories Detoxification and non-detoxification hospitalizations were calculated from patient reports and chart reviews on patients admitted for alcohol detoxification Discriminant analysis of each type of hospitalization and total hospitalizations for each sex revealed an increased risk of seizure activity correlating with non-detoxification hospitalizations, but the correlation was weaker than that observed for detoxification admissions and for total admissions This correlation between hospitalizations and seizure prevalence supports the hypothesis that recurrent alcohol withdrawal may have a kindling effect

Platelet monoamine oxidase activity in type 1 and type 2 alcoholism

Abstract: Earlier studies have identified at least two distinct subtypes of alcoholism. Type 2 is characterised by high heritability, early onset, frequent social complications and mixed misuse. With regard to temperament, the type 2 alcoholics score high in impulsiveness and sensation-seeking behaviour. Type 1 alcoholics have a later onset, lower degree of heritability and rarely there is misuse of illegal drugs. In the present study, 37 type 1 and 62 type 2 male alcoholics were compared with 36 male controls with regard to platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity, which is a stable biological marker, inversely correlated to personality traits such as impulsiveness and sensation seeking. The platelet MAO activity was found to be lower in type 2 alcoholics when compared both with healthy controls and with type 1 alcoholics. Also, the type 1 alcoholics had lower platelet MAO activity than the controls. The result confirms a previous study and validates the subclassification of alcoholism according to the type 1 and 2 concept. This should be of value for future studies concerning etiology, epidemiology, treatment and prevention of alcoholism.

The effect of chronic alcohol ingestion on whole body and muscle protein synthesis--a stable isotope study.

Abstract: The cause of the proximal myopathy associated with chronic alcohol ingestion has yet to be established. The clinical feature of muscle wasting implies either inhibited skeletal muscle protein synthesis, stimulated breakdown or a combination of both. Previous data suggest that breakdown is reduced, rather than promoted. This provides evidence, albeit indirect, that the myopathy is the result of inhibited muscle protein synthesis, which has been demonstrated recently in the rat model. We have examined the influence of chronic alcohol intake on post-absorptive fractional skeletal muscle protein synthesis in man using a primed continuous (1 mg/kg/hr) infusion of L-[1-13C]leucine for 8 hr. Percutaneous quadriceps muscle biopsies (200 mg) were taken after 2 and 8 hr of the infusion for measurement of the incorporation of 13C leucine into muscle protein. Plasma 13C enrichment of alpha-ketoisocaproic acid, the deaminated product of leucine, was used to represent that of the precursor pool. We studied 6 fully ambulant alcoholics, who exhibited no overt evidence of skeletal muscle disease and who had consumed at least 100 g alcohol daily for a minimum of 10 years. Mean (+/- S.D.) fractional muscle protein synthesis was 0.0274 +/- 0.0087 (95% confidence intervals 0.0204-0.0344%/hr). This value is significantly lower than recently published control values obtained using identical protocols which range from 0.046 to 0.055%/hr. In addition, whole body leucine oxidation was lower (P less than 0.05) in the chronic alcoholics than in healthy controls, whereas neither whole body protein synthesis nor breakdown was significantly reduced.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alcohol consumption patterns in a primary care population.

Abstract: Over a one-year period the authors administered the Diagnostic Interview Schedule to 459 randomly selected patients attending an urban general medicine practice. Alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence disorders were diagnosed as current in 12% of the patients, while 19% of the patients met criteria for a past disorder. In addition, 11% and 3%, respectively, reported a history of previous or current heavy consumption. The lifetime prevalence of alcohol consumption disorders is significantly higher in males than females, while current disorders are significantly more common in younger than older individuals. Based upon the number of reported symptoms, patients reporting current disorders appear to have a more serious form of disease than patients reporting a past disorder. We conclude that disorders of alcohol consumption are common in our medical practice. Moreover, our findings suggest that many patients do recover from alcohol consumption disorders (i.e are currently symptom-free by self-report) and disease severity may be an important factor in this process

Alcohol-induced depression: involvement of serotonin.

Abstract: We examined tryptophan and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) levels in the blood after consumption of alcohol. Forty-five minutes after drinking, whole blood serotonin concentration was significantly reduced, whereas no changes were observed in tryptophan level. The diurnal rhythm of 5-HT in subjects who the day before had drunk alcohol was quite different from the control group, but very similar to that of patients with depression. The results strongly suggest that the mechanism of depression after alcohol drinking may be related to serotonin

Home detoxification from alcohol: its safety and efficacy in comparison with inpatient care.

Abstract: The safety and short-term effectiveness of home detoxification (HD) was investigated by contrasting rates of treatment completion and of complications of 41 service users with those of a retrospectively matched inpatient comparison group. The latter comprised patients of a detoxification unit matched for age, sex and degree of alcohol dependence with HD subjects. HD subjects had severe problems with alcohol--they averaged 28.7 on the SADQ, 4.6 serious alcohol-related problems in the previous 2 months, a GGT of 123.8 and 174.6 reported units of alcohol consumed in the week before treatment. A high follow-up rate was achieved for both HD subjects and their relatives; there was close agreement between clients' reports, carers' reports and breathalyser readings with regard to further alcohol consumption. The HD subjects were visited at home an average of 6.9 times over 6.15 days. Chlormethiazole was prescribed in 36 cases at an average maximum daily dose of 6.3 capsules--significantly fewer than for the inpatient group. Both rates of completion and complication were virtually identical in the 2 groups. It is concluded that these data suggest HD is equivalent in both its safety and immediate efficacy to more expensive inpatient care.

Effect of calcium-channel blockers on alcohol consumption in alcohol-drinking monkeys.

Abstract: Experiments were performed to determine the effect of the calcium-channel blockers verapamil and diltiazem on ethanol preference in monkeys. Two days of administration of 10 mg/kg verapamil but not diltiazem or saline significantly decreased ethanol intake in all monkeys tested. Chronic treatment with verapamil, but not saline, dose-dependently attenuated alcohol intake, without significantly influencing water intake. These findings suggest that verapamil exerts an inhibitory action on ethanol preference in chronically alcohol-drinking monkeys, possibly by interfering with Ca(2+)-channels and/or by interacting with the activity of certain central neurotransmitters.

The relationship between social skills and adolescent drinking.

Abstract: Studies of the drinking patterns of Australian youth have revealed the widespread use of alcohol, with substantial numbers of high school students drinking on a daily basis and regularly becoming intoxicated. The present research investigated the relationship between social skills and drinking behaviour in teenagers. The Adolescent Alcohol Involvement Scale was administered to 82 males and females aged between 13 and 16 to distinguish among drinkers, problem drinkers and non-drinkers. To measure social skills, the Adolescent Problem Inventory was administered to boys and the Problem Inventory for Adolescent Girls to girls. There were significant group differences on the social skills measures with non-drinkers receiving the highest scores, indicating the most social skills, followed by drinkers and problem drinkers. An analysis of results showed that 11% of drinkers and 50% of problem drinkers were in the incompetent range of social skills performance while no non-drinkers scored in this range. None of the problem drinkers scored in the highly competent range of performance whereas 22% of drinkers and 40% of non-drinkers did Results are discussed in terms of linking a number of problem behaviours in adolescence, such as drinking, smoking and delinquent behaviour, to deficits in social skills.

Application of a three-compartment model to a study of the effects of sex, alcohol dose and concentration, exercise and food consumption on the pharmacokinetics of ethanol in healthy volunteers.

Abstract: A recently developed three-compartment model for the absorption and elimination of ingested alcohol was applied to re-analyse a study on the effects of various factors known to influence the blood-alcohol curve. The absorption and elimination of alcohol after drinking diluted alcohol were studied in healthy volunteers under strictly standardized conditions. The factors studied were sex, dose, concentration, physical exercise, meal consumption before drinking, energy content and composition of the meal, and time of drinking in relation to meal consumption. Gastric emptying and absorption from the small intestine were assumed to be first-order, and a possible delay (or acceleration) of gastric emptying was accounted for by a feedback-control parameter. The elimination process was assumed to follow Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Clear effects were observed of sex and dose, and aspects of meal consumption on absorption and elimination of alcohol. The ingestion of a meal prior to the intake of alcohol reduced both the gastric emptying rate and absorption efficiency of alcohol, increased the gastric emptying delay and reduced the rate of elimination. The absorption efficiency was even lower when the alcohol was consumed during the meal instead of after the meal. Using alcohol during the meal accelerated gastric emptying and reduced absorption efficiency as well as rate of elimination. High-fat meals resulted in the highest gastric emptying rate and rate of absorption from the small intestine, whereas high-protein and high-sucrose meals resulted in the lowest gastric emptying rate. Simultaneous consumption of a high-sucrose meal and alcohol increased gastric emptying delay.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The effect of fructose on alcohol metabolism and on the [lactate]/[pyruvate] ratio in man

Abstract: Ten male subjects were given alcohol by intravenous infusion and maintained at a constant blood alcohol level. The rate of alcohol metabolism was measured before and after an oral dose of fructose (100 g), as the amount of alcohol required to maintain the steady state. The mean rate of alcohol metabolism increased by 80% after fructose but there was considerable variation among the subjects, which was related to their plasma fructose concentrations. Blood lactate increased after fructose to a greater degree than blood pyruvate, resulting in a significant increase in [lactate]/[pyruvate] ratio. Since fructose increased the [lactate]/[pyruvate] ratio when it increased alcohol metabolism, the action of fructose cannot be explained by a decrease in the liver cytoplasmic [NADH]/[NAD] ratio and some other mechanism must be sought.

The urinary excretion of the collagen degradation markers pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline in an experimental rat model of alcoholic bone disease.

Abstract: (1) The effect of chronic (6 weeks) ethanol feeding on whole-body skeletal tissue in the rat was studied by analysis of the urinary pyridinium crosslinks of collagen, pyridinoline (PYD; found predominantly in the collagens of cartilage and bone and to a lesser extent in other tissues) and deoxypyridinoline (DPD; found only in type I collagen of bone and dentine). (2) The urinary concentrations of total, free and conjugated PYD were unaltered by ethanol feeding. In contrast, there were significant reductions in total and conjugated DPD concentrations. The reduction in the concentration of free DPD did not achieve statistical significance The urinary PYD/DPD molar ratios, of total and conjugated forms, were increased. (3) Alcohol feeding caused the total 24 hr urinary PYD excretion to fall slightly, by 15%. There were no statistically significant effects on excretion of free and conjugated forms of PYD, nor on the free/total, free/ conjugated and conjugated/total molar ratios. In contrast, the 24 hr urinary excretion of total, free and conjugated DPD was significantly reduced by 25–55%. Furthermore, the free/total and free/conjugated molar ratios were significantly increased by 40% and 80%, respectively, and the conjugated/total molar ratio was significantly reduced by 16%. (4) Data from the analysis of plasma electrolytes, enzymes and metabolites did not support the contention that the effects on collagen degradation were a result of secondary organ dysfunction due to alcohol consumption. (5) The results suggest that chronic ethanol feeding for 6 weeks is having a primary effect on skeletal tissue. A reduction in the absolute rate of bone resorption is implicated and ethanol may inhibit the normal formation of the mature crosslinks.

Drinking patterns and problems among primary care patients: a comparison with the general population.

Abstract: While problem drinking is believed to be over-represented in primary care practice, additional research in this area is needed. A probability sample of 394 patients attending all county-operated primary care clinics in Contra Costa County, California, were breathalyzed and interviewed regarding drinking patterns and alcohol problems. These data are compared with those obtained from a representative general population sample of over 3000 respondents living in the same county. While the clinic population reported higher rates of abstinence compared with the general population (38 versus 17%), among drinkers the clinic sample reported higher rates of heavy drinking. In the clinic sample 14% reported a physical health problem related to drinking and 22% reported three or more symptoms of alcohol dependence during the last year, compared with 3 and 10%, respectively, in the general population. The clinic sample was demographically different from those in the general population which could account, in part, for differences in heavy drinking and alcohol-related problems between the two populations. The prevalence of heavy and problem drinking in this primary care practice suggests the potential of primary care settings for early identification and treatment of alcohol-misusing patients.

Interpersonal aggressive behaviour and alcohol consumption among young urban adolescents in France.

Abstract: In order to supplement existing studies of deviant populations (alcoholics, drug addicts, jailed delinquents) and to bring to light the existence of early relationships between aggressiveness and alcohol consumption, an epidemiological survey was carried out among 1601 adolescents (aged 13-16) from a suburban area of Paris. Some types of the aggressive behaviour studied were more socially acceptable--breaking objects, hitting people, fighting--than others--threatening to use or using physical violence to obtain money or objects from people. A majority of the adolescents had already demonstrated violent behaviour, 41% showed repetitive delinquent behaviour, and 12% cumulated several types of such behaviour. The aggressive teenagers differed from the non-aggressive subjects firstly in their alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug consumption, and secondly with respect to other deviant behaviour, such as stealing, running away from home or violent victimization. A logistic regression analysis highlighted the relative importance of each type of delinquent behaviour and of the early onset of regular alcohol consumption. The discussion focuses on the complex relationship between violence and alcohol consumption. Language: en

Maternal alcohol exposure before and during pregnancy: effect on development of neurons and glial cells in culture

Abstract: The effect of maternal alcohol exposure on nerve cell development was investigated in neurons and glial cells cultured from foetal rat brain. Neurons were grown for one week from two-week-old cortical brain cells and glial cells were cultured for four weeks from newborn cortical brain cells Two types of maternal alcohol treatment were performed; either before and during pregnancy or only until the beginning of pregnancy. In both situations, we found a delayed nerve cell maturation assessed by microscopic observations and determination of enzymatic markers of nerve cell development (non-neuronal and neuron-specific enolase for the neuronal cells, non-neuronal enolase and glutamine synthetase for the glial cells). The results confirmed our previous in vivo experiments pointing out long-lasting effects of maternal alcohol exposure in the offspring.

Bone collagen, mineral and trace element composition, histomorphometry and urinary hydroxyproline excretion in chronically-treated alcohol-fed rats

Abstract: (1) We examined the possibility that enhanced fragility of the bony skeleton in alcohol abusers may be a consequence of a reduction in collagen composition. Male rats were fed a liquid diet containing 36% of total calories as ethanol; controls were pair-fed iso-caloric glucose. At 3, 7 and 14 days of treatment, collagen contents of tibia were unaltered, but small and significant reductions (15-30%) were observed at 28 and 42 days of treatment. Urinary hydroxyproline excretion was increased by 40-60% at 42 days of treatment, suggesting enhanced collagen degradation. (2) Bones of rats treated with ethanol for 42 days had significantly reduced mineral content (approximately 20%) with accompanying reductions in phosphate, calcium, copper and magnesium, but not sodium or potassium. Water content was unaltered, but tibial zinc and iron were increased by approximately 15%. (3) Histomorphometric analysis of bones taken at 42 days showed significant reductions in cortical bone thickness of lower tibia (by 28%). The thickness of the upper cortices and cancellous bone of the tibia was unaffected. Reductions in trabecular bone volume (approx. 25%) did not achieve statistical significance. (4) These observations are consistent with the known enhanced fragility of bones in alcoholic rats. The regional susceptibility of the tibia may be related to reduced load bearing as a result of muscle atrophy.

Detection of stable acetaldehyde-modified proteins in the livers of ethanol-fed rats

Abstract: Liver cytosolic fractions, obtained from rats pair-fed diets supplemented with either ethanol or an isocaloric amount of sucrose for periods from 3 weeks to 27 months, were tested for the presence of acetaldehyde-modified proteins by immunoblotting, using a partially purified antiserum raised in rabbits against proteins modified by acetaldehyde in vitro. The antiserum reacted with a large number of proteins in cytosolic fractions from ethanol-fed rats but did not react with any proteins in the same fraction from control animals. The duration of the ethanol-containing diet did not appear to influence the number of proteins modified or the total amount of modification within the time range tested. These results indicate that many proteins in rat liver cytosol are targets for modification by acetaldehyde in vivo.

Family disruption in early life and drinking in young adulthood.

Abstract: The relationship between family disruption early in life and subsequent drinking in young adulthood was examined in a large representative British sample. Contrary to popular belief, parental loss was not an antecedent to heavy drinking in young adults. This finding was observed within social class of origin groups and when the nature and timing of the disruption were considered separately.

Alterations in serotonin receptor subtypes in ethanol-dependent rats.

Abstract: Serotonin (5-HT) receptor subtypes were investigated during severe ethanol intoxication and withdrawal. Ethanol was administered intragastrically five times a day for 4 days (12 g/kg per day). 5-HT receptor subtypes were studied: (1) in severely intoxicated animals (mean blood ethanol concentration (BEC) = 4.7 g/l); (2) during the withdrawal reaction; and (3) in a control group. The maximal density of [3H] 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n- propylamino)tetralin [( 3H] 8-OH-DPAT) binding (Bmax) to 5-HT1a receptors was decreased by 25 and 17% in the hippocampus during chronic ethanol intoxication and withdrawal, respectively. [3H]Ketanserin binding to 5-HT2 receptors in the cortex, (-)[125I]-iodo-cyanopindolol [( 125I]CYP) binding to 5-HT1b receptors in the striatum and hypothalamus, and [3H] 8-OH-DPAT binding in the cortex were not affected by chronic ethanol administration. Previous in vitro experiments have shown that 5-HT1a receptors in the hippocampus are inhibitory. The down-regulation of these receptors may play a role in physical ethanol dependence, by inducing hyperexcitability of the hippocampus. Language: en

High incidence of antibodies to hepatitis c virus in alcoholic cirrhosis: fact or fiction?

Abstract: An enzyme immunoassay (Ortho-HCV ELISA) for antibodies against the hepatitis C virus was used to test serum samples from 39 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and 34 patients with alcoholic hepatitis or fatty liver. The frequency of a positive result in the cirrhotics was significantly higher than in the alcoholics without cirrhosis (38.5% vs 8.8%, P less than 0.01). However, the positive results in the cirrhotics were associated with high gammaglobulin concentrations, and optical density values in the assay correlated closely with serum globulin (r = 0.73, P less than 0.01). The findings suggest that serum from patients with alcoholic cirrhosis may contain a component that give false-positive results in the assay.

Hepatic transmethylation and blood alcohol levels

Abstract: Golden Syrian hamsters that have elevated hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase activity were divided into four groups and group-fed on four different liquid diets for five weeks. Group I was fed a control diet formulated for hamsters. Group II was fed the control diet containing 20 micrograms of 4 methylpyrazole per litre. Group III was fed the hamster ethanol liquid diet (ethanol amounting to 36% of total calories). Group IV was fed the ethanol diet to which 4-methylpyrazole (20 micrograms/litre) was added. Groups I, II and III were group-fed the amount consumed by Group IV on a daily basis. Upon killing the animals, blood alcohol levels were found to be elevated in Group IV but not in Group III. Hepatic methionine synthetase (MS) was inhibited in Group IV. Betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase was induced in this group to compensate for the MS inhibition and liver betaine was lowered reflecting this induction. None of these changes were seen in Group III. Since none of the animals showed an aversion to their respective diets and gained weight normally, these data indicate that it was the elevated blood levels of ethanol rather than nutritional factors that were related to the changes in methionine metabolism.

Alcohol consumption of patients with supraventricular tachyarrhythmias other than atrial fibrillation.

Abstract: We studied the recent alcohol consumption and other possible precipitating factors in 99 consecutive patients (53 men and 46 women) all under 65 years of age with sustained re-entry and automatic supraventricular tachyarrhythmias and compared them with those of two groups of controls. One control group was derived from the Emergency Room patients and matched for age and sex; the other group (44 men, 22 women, mean age 48.7 years) was randomly selected from the general out-of-hospital population. There were 50 patients with supraventricular tachycardia, 30 with atrial flutter, and 19 with paroxysmal atrial tachycardia. Coronary heart disease (14% of patients), hypertension (10%), and dilated cardiomyopathy (6%) were the most prevalent cardiovascular diseases associated with the arrhythmias. The self-reported alcohol consumption of patients with arrhythmias during the week preceding the arrhythmia did not differ significantly from that of hospital or population controls, although significantly more patients than controls had liver enzyme levels above normal; neither were there any significant differences between the groups regarding prevalence for alcoholism as judged by the CAGE questionnaire. The results were essentially similar when patients with supraventricular tachycardia and those with intra-atrial tachyarrhythmias (flutter and paroxysmal tachycardia) were separately compared with the controls. We conclude that alcohol consumption, although a risk factor for atrial fibrillation, is not associated with the induction of other supraventricular tachyarrhythmias in patients of working age.

Trace element and vitamin deficiency in alcoholic and control subjects

Abstract: A wide range of trace elements and vitamins was studied in alcoholic patients admitted for detoxification and in healthy controls. Alcoholic subjects were found to be deficient relative to controls in magnesium and vitamin E, while a relative excess of serum iron and copper, and sweat nickel, was noted. A surprisingly wide range of deficiencies, as compared with standard laboratory ranges, was seen in the control group. This finding emphasizes the need for adequate control groups in nutritional studies of alcoholism, the insufficiency of an adequate diet alone to guarantee adequate nutrition, and the likely high prevalence of undetected nutritional deficiency in the general population. Further research is required on the clinical benefits of nutritional supplementation as part of the treatment of alcoholism, and the value of conventional supplements as a routine treatment is questioned.

Effects of GABA antagonists and habituation to novelty on ethanol-induced locomotor activity in mice.

Abstract: The effects of the γ-aminobutyne acid (GABA) antagonists picrotoxin and bicuculline on ethanol-induced motor excitation were assessed on habituated and non-habituated mice. Habituated mice were exposed to the testing apparatus for 30 mm on 4 consecutive days before testing Mice were treated with several doses of ethanol (0.8. 1 2 and 1.6 g/kg, intraperitoneally) and at each dose were pretreated with picrotoxin (0 25. 0 5 and 1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) or bicuculline (0 5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg, i.p ). Habituated animals had consistently lower scores than non-habituated animals throughout the experiment Ethanol alone produced a significant increase in motor activity Picrotoxin and bicuculline alone decreased motor activity only at the two higher doses in both habituated and non-habituated mice For the non-habituated mice, picrotoxin and bicuculline at the lowest doses decreased ethanol induced motor activity at the 0.8 and 1.2 g/kg ethanol doses, whereas in habituated mice, only bicuculline attenuated activity. At the highest dose of ethanol picrotoxin increased ethanol-induced excitation for both nonhabituated and habituated animals, whereas bicuculline only augmented the activity of the nonhabituated animals at this ethanol dose. Neither antagonist affected blood-ethanol levels These results suggest that habituation affects not only motor activity per se but also changes in activity due to the combination of GABA antagonists and ethanol.

The value of brainstem auditory evoked potentials in early diagnosis of Wernicke's encephalopathy.

Abstract: Statistical analysis o the interpeak latenices of brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) shows that a delayed IPL I-V is very sensitive indicator for an early diagnosis of Wernicke's encephalopathy. In cases of uncomplicated delirium tremens no significant deviations of BAEP were found.

A community screening test for high alcohol consumption using biochemical and haematological measures.

Abstract: A discriminant function based on a number of biochemical and haematological tests from an extended multiple biochemical analysis and full blood count, together with weight, smoking status and systolic blood pressure is developed. The function was far more effective at detecting high alcohol use (< 40 g ethanol per day) than serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) or the Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (SMAST) in a community sample of adult males. When classifying high alcohol consumption by GGT only, several division criteria were considered, the most effective being at 40 i.u./l. In terms of identifying high alcohol consumers, rather than alcoholics, the SMAST was no better than GGT, and both had unacceptably low sensitivity (49%, 51%) and poor performance on other measures, thus limiting their use as community screening tools. The discriminant function, however, had an estimated community sensitivity of 78%, was similarly high on other performance measures, and would perform satisfactorily as a community screening tool, particularly in situations where there was a tendency for individuals to under-report their alcohol consumption.

Patterns of drinking in wales

Abstract: As part of a larger survey of health-related behaviours, 8441 Welsh men and women aged 18-64 years provided information relating to their overall consumption of alcohol, frequency of binge drinking (defined as consumption of at least half the recommended weekly limits, less than or equal to 21 units for men, less than or equal to 14 units for women) per occasion, and changes in consumption over time. Key findings indicate 29% of men and 9% of women report drinking in excess of the recommended safe limits, whilst 28% and 8% respectively report binge drinking at least once weekly. Such drinking is not, however, confined to heavy drinkers: 14% of men and 5% of women who drink within the recommended safe limits also report binge drinking at least once weekly. These and other results are discussed in relation to future health promotion initiatives.