Study on object, verbal and space working memory in male patients with alcohol dependence

Abstract

Objective To explore working memory in male patients with alcohol dependence. Methods 50 male patients with alcohol dependence(AD group) and 50 healthy controls(HC group) were assessed by digit span test, trail making test and verbal fluency test. The visual-object, visual-verbal, visual-space working memory tasks were used to measure the difference of working memory between the two groups. Results Compared with HC group, alcohol dependence group showed significant impairments in performance of error number of visual-object, visual-verbal, visual-space working memory tasks (AD group: (3.76±2.20), 3(2, 5), (3.74±2.40)); (HC group: (2.94±1.60), 2(1, 3), 2(1, 4))(t=2.133, P=0.035; Z=-2.400, P=0.016; Z=-2.654, P=0.008). Moreover, scores of Michigan alcoholism screening test were positively correlated with the error number of verbal working memory task (r=0.371, P=0.008). Conclusion The male patients with alcohol dependence exhibit impairments in all aspects of working memory. Key words: Alcohol drinking; Working memory; Neuropsychology