IS THERE COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT IN CLINICALLY ‘HEALTHY’ ABSTINENT ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE?

Abstract

In this apparently clinically healthy population of abstinent alcohol-dependent subjects, frontal lobe dysfunction was detectable using the Trail A + B and digit symbol tasks. This was despite above-average WAIS-R IQ scores. Consideration needs to be given to routine incorporation of cognitive testing in alcohol dependence since subtle deficits may not be easily apparent and may impact on treatment outcome.