Positive Family History Of Alcoholism Research Articles

Ethanol and Pain Sensitivity: Effects in Healthy Subjects Using an Acute Pain Paradigm

The primary objective of this study was to determine whether healthy subjects without a history of heavy alcohol use or a family history of alcoholism exhibit a concentration-dependent analgesic effect of ethanol. In a preliminary fashion, we also compared this sample to a group of subjects with a strong positive family history for alcoholism (FHP) to test the secondary hypothesis that FHP individuals will be more sensitive to the analgesic effects of alcohol compared to healthy subjects who are negative for a family history of alcoholism (FHN). Forty-one healthy FHN subjects and 19 FHP subjects participated. Test days included an ethanol high concentration (breathalyzer = 0.100 g/dl), ethanol low concentration (breathalyzer = 0.040 g/dl) or placebo. The infusion of ethanol was via computerized pump to achieve a steady-state ("clamp") ethanol concentration. Noxious electrical stimulation and pain assessments were performed prior to start of placebo/ethanol infusion and at the 60-min infusion mark. The applied current was progressively increased until the pain was reported as 5 or higher on an 11-point Verbal Numeric Scale (VNS). Outcome variables included measures of pain threshold and tolerance and Visual Analog Scales of mood states. Among FHN subjects there was a significant ethanol concentration effect on pain tolerance (F = 3.0, p = 0.05). The average change in pain stimuli required to reach a VNS of 5 or greater were (-2.4, -1.0, and 2.2 mAmps respectively) for high concentration, low concentration, and placebo. There were no ethanol concentration related differences in pain threshold. The analgesic effect of ethanol was not correlated with changes in mood states, suggesting an independent analgesic effect of the drug. A comparison of FHP to FHN subjects produced no differences on pain responses. The findings support the hypothesis that in healthy subjects intravenous ethanol administration has a concentration effect on pain tolerance but not on pain threshold. Additional studies are planned to further elucidate the mechanisms of ethanol's analgesic effects.

Adult Transition From At‐Risk Drinking to Alcohol Dependence: The Relationship of Family History and Drinking Motives

Prospective studies have not previously examined whether a family history of alcoholism and drinking motives conjointly predict a diagnosed DSM-IV alcohol abuse or dependence in adults, despite a large literature that each is associated with alcohol consumption. The focus of this study is the conjoint, prospective examination of these risk factors in a 10-year longitudinal study of adults who were at-risk drinkers at baseline. Prospective, population-based cohort of drinkers aged 18 or older from a Northeastern U.S. area initially evaluated for history of alcohol use disorders and drinking motives in 1991 to 1992. New onset dependence was studied in those who never met the criteria for alcohol dependence at baseline (n = 423), and new onset abuse was studied in those who never met the criteria for alcohol abuse at baseline (n = 301) and who did not develop dependence during the follow-up. Family history significantly interacted with 2 baseline drinking motives in predicting new onsets of DSM-IV alcohol dependence: drinking to reduce negative affect (OR 3.38; 95% CI 1.05, 10.9) and drinking for social facilitation (OR 3.88; CI 1.21, 12.5). Effects were stronger after conditioning the drinking motives on having a positive family history of alcoholism. In contrast, in predicting new onsets of alcohol abuse, drinking motives did not have direct effects or interact with family history. Those who drank to reduce negative affect or for social facilitation at baseline were at greater risk of alcohol dependence 10 years later if they also had a family history of alcoholism. These results suggest an at-risk group that can be identified prior to the development of alcohol dependence. Further, the findings suggest utility in investigating the interaction of drinking motives with measured genetic polymorphisms in predicting alcohol dependence.

The influence of parental drinking behaviour and antisocial personality disorder on adolescent behavioural problems: Results of the Greifswalder Family Study

Contradictory results have been produced by previous research on the question to what extent do children of alcoholics (COAs) differ in measures of externalizing symptoms from children of non-alcoholic parents. The goal of this study was to determine whether COAs are characterized by more behavioural problems than non-COAs, and also to determine the influence of a paternal antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) in this context. In this study, 340 children and adolescents between the ages of 11 and 18 years and their parents were included. Of this sample, 76 adolescents showed a positive family history of alcoholism (FHalc) and 47 adolescents a positive history of a paternal ASPD (FHaspd). Externalizing symptoms, which where measured on the basis of maternal ratings and self-assessments, were analysed with a two-factorial MANCOVA with FHalc and FHaspd as independent factors. The results of the MANCOVA revealed that only children with paternal ASPD showed significant higher scores in attentional problems, self-rated aggression/delinquency and disruptive behaviour, while there were no differences for FHalc and the interaction effect. Our findings show that the higher of behavioural problems relates primarily to a higher prevalence in both cases of ASPD among fathers. These results were discussed regarding the mediating role of a paternal ASPD for the differences in behavioural problems in COAs and non-COAs. Furthermore, children with FHalc and/or FHaspd represent high-risk groups and should be the focus of prevention and intervention measures.

Rates of ethanol metabolism decrease in sons of alcoholics following a priming dose of ethanol

Rapid changes in rates of ethanol metabolism in response to acute ethanol administration have been observed in animals and humans. To examine whether this phenomenon might vary by risk for alcoholism, 23 young men with a positive family history of alcoholism (family history positive [FHP]) were compared to 15 young men without a family history of alcoholism (family history negative [FHN]). Rates of ethanol metabolism were measured in all subjects first after an initial ethanol dose (0.85 g/kg) and then, several hours later, a second dose (0.3 g/kg), and the two rates were compared. The two groups of subjects were similar in their histories of ethanol consumption. FHP subjects demonstrated faster initial rates of ethanol metabolism, 148 ± 36 mg/kg/h, compared to FHN subjects, 124 ± 18 mg/kg/h, P = .01. However, FHN subjects increased their rate of metabolism by 10 ± 27% compared to a decrease of −15 ± 24% in FHP subjects, P = .007. Fifty-two percent of the FHP and none of the FHN subjects exhibited a decline in metabolic rate of 20% or more, P = .0008. Since a significant proportion of FHP subjects exhibited a decrease in the second rate of ethanol metabolism, these preliminary data might help to partly explain why FHP individuals differ in their sensitivity to ethanol and are more likely to develop alcohol dependence.

Arginine vasopressin and adrenocorticotropin secretion in response to psychosocial stress is attenuated by ethanol in sons of alcohol-dependent fathers

Familial risk and environmental stress promote the development of alcohol dependence. We investigated whether a positive family history of alcoholism affects the neuroendocrine response to a standardized laboratory stress test in healthy subjects without alcohol use disorders. Twenty-four high-risk subjects with a paternal history of alcoholism (PHA) and 16 family history negative (FHN) controls were evaluated. Psychosocial stress was induced by having subjects deliver a 5-min speech and mental arithmetics in front of an audience on separate days, after drinking either placebo or ethanol (0.6 g/kg) in a randomized sequence. Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) was measured in 10 plasma samples covering up to 75 min after the stress test. Plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) was determined before the stressor, at the time of maximum ACTH secretion, and at 75 min after stress onset. The stress test induced a phasic increase in ACTH secretion. At the time of maximum ACTH, AVP was significantly increased in relation to baseline. Compared to placebo, alcohol administration significantly attenuated maximum ACTH concentration in PHA but not FHN subjects, and decreased AVP measured in the same samples in PHA but not FHN subjects. We conclude that activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal system by psychosocial stress is accompanied by an increase in peripheral plasma AVP levels. Secretion of both ACTH and AVP suggest that alcohol attenuates the stress response selectively in PHA but not FHN subjects. This might imply some short-term positive alcohol effect in sons of alcoholics, but also constitute a mechanism by which their risk to develop alcohol use disorders is increased.

The Relation of a Family History of Alcoholism, Obstetric Complications and Family Environment to Behavioral Problems among 154 Adolescents in Germany: Results from the Children of Alcoholics Study in Pomerania

Background: Behavioral problems in adolescence have been shown to be associated with the presence of a positive family history of alcoholism (FH+), obstetric complications (OCs), and negative parenting practices. Method: This study tested the relation of these factors to aggression/delinquency and attention problems in an untreated population sample of 154 adolescents in Pomerania. Furthermore, we evaluated the predictive strength of a FH+, OCs and negative parenting styles in a prospective subsample of 127 adolescents using a hierarchical regression analysis. Results: Group comparisons between offspring with higher vs. lower values on aggression/delinquency revealed that only rejection by the parents was significantly more often reported by teenagers with higher measures on these behavioral problems. Offspring with higher values on attention problems had more OCs reported by the mother and also had more feelings of parental rejection compared to controls. The results of the hierarchical regression analysis showed that parental rejection was the only significant predictor for both aggression/delinquency, and attention problems measured 1 year after the initial assessment. Conclusion: We conclude that parental rejection is a major risk factor for both aggression/delinquency and attention problems. Reflecting the fact that these behavioral problems have been reported to be strongly associated with later substance misuse, the improvement of parenting practices should be considered in prevention and intervention programs.

Family History of Alcohol Dependence in Asian Americans

A positive family history of alcoholism is one of the most consistent and powerful predictors of developing this disorder. Compared to other ethnic groups, Asian Americans, as a whole, report the lowest prevalence of family history of alcoholism, but differences in rates for Asian American subgroups have not been reported previously. This study assessed first- and second-degree family history of alcohol dependence in two Asian-American subgroups: individuals of Chinese (n = 142) and Korean (n = 152) heritage. As hypothesized, Korean Americans reported higher rates of first-degree family history of alcohol dependence than Chinese Americans. These findings highlight the heterogeneity in vulnerabi lity to alcohol- related problems between Asian subgroups.

Executive–cognitive functioning in the development of antisocial personality disorder

The present study examined the association of cognitive–executive abilities to two risk factors for alcoholism, i.e., antisocial behaviors and a family history (FH+) of alcohol dependence. A sample of 91 right-handed, non-substance-dependent, young male adults recruited from the community were classified into three groups: (1) a control group of n=32 men with no history of DSM-III-R childhood conduct disorder (CD) or antisocial personality disorder (ASPD); (2) n=25 men who met criteria for a DSM-III-R childhood CD diagnosis, but did not meet diagnostic criteria for ASPD (i.e., CD/ASPD−); and (3) n=34 men who met DSM-III-R criteria for ASPD. They were further divided into those with and without a positive family history of alcoholism. A two-way (Antisocial Profile (3)×Family History of Alcoholism (2)) ANOVA was used to compare several neuropsychological measures of executive–cognitive functioning (ECF) ability. Verbal abstraction ability was found to be significantly lower in ASPD subjects compared with controls and CD-only subjects, inversely related to antisocial behavior severity (as measured by symptom count). CD-only and control subjects' abstraction ability were statistically indistinguishable. FH+ was associated with increased errors in planning performance on the Porteus Maze Test and diminished performance on Luria's simple alternate-tapping motor tasks. The effect was more pronounced when inhibition of prepotent motor planning was required. Results are consistent with previous work examining ECF ability in antisocial samples that find subtle differences in ECF ability compared to controls. The findings suggest that normal versus abnormal behavioral outcome for children with conduct problems may be influenced by cognitive ability profile, perhaps because of varying maturational processes.

Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenocortical (HPA) Axis Response and Biotransformation of Oral Naltrexone: Preliminary Examination of Relationship to Family History of Alcoholism

We examined HPA axis response to 50 mg oral naltrexone compared with placebo in 17 healthy male and female nonalcoholic subjects, approximately half of whom had a positive family history of alcoholism (FH+) and half of whom who did not (FH−). Mood response and naltrexone biotransformation were also examined at various intervals. Subjects participated in two morning test sessions (50 mg naltrexone or identical placebo pill) after an overnight stay in the Rockefeller University GCRC. For the total sample, ACTH and cortisol significantly increased after naltrexone compared with placebo (p < .05). Secondary analyses showed the FH+ subgroup had a different pattern of response over time compared with the FH− subgroup, with heightened ACTH and cortisol, and decreased vigor ratings, during naltrexone (p < .05). The results demonstrate that orally administered naltrexone acutely disinhibits the HPA axis, and that individuals with an assumed greater biological vulnerability to addiction, by virtue of familial alcoholism, had altered regulation of the HPA axis in part under the control of the endogenous opioid system. 166 words.

The importance of a positive family history of alcoholism, parental rejection and emotional warmth, behavioral problems and peer substance use for alcohol problems in teenagers: a path analysis.

The purpose of this study was to test a hypothetical model of alcohol problems in German adolescents. Among 180 offspring, family history of alcoholism, parenting styles, behavioral and emotional problems, peer-group characteristics, feelings of self-esteem, behavioral problems and psychiatric comorbidity of the parents were examined. Data were generated from the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP), in which families were randomly selected if 12-18 year old biological offspring were members of the household; a smaller group of subjects was selected from local outpatient treatment centers. Members of 133 families, including 180 (50.6% male) offspring who were appropriate for the current analyses, received personal semistructured diagnostic interviews and several self-rating questionnaires. Analyses compared offspring with alcohol problems (AP; n = 40) and with no alcohol problems (NAP; n = 140), and used structural equation modeling to test a hypothetical model. The comparisons revealed that the AP group had significantly more behavioral problems (e.g., aggression/delinquency), more perceived parental rejection and less emotional warmth, a higher amount of alcohol consumption, were more likely to associate with substance-using peers and more often received a diagnosis of conduct disorder or antisocial personality disorder. Whereas the family history of alcoholism did not differ significantly between groups, parents of offspring with an alcohol use disorder had significantly more additional diagnoses on DSM-IV Axis I. The evaluation of the model supported the importance of aggression/delinquency and association with substance-using peers for alcohol problems in people. An additional diagnosis in the parents was directly and indirectly (through aggression/delinquency) related to alcohol problems of the adolescents. The data indicate that alcohol problems in the offspring are associated with several domains of influence in their environment. Prospective studies measuring both biological and environmental factors using sufficient sample sizes will be needed for optimal understanding of the development of alcohol problems in youth.

Positive or negative history of childhood sexual abuse among problem drinkers: relationship to substance use disorders and psychiatric co-morbidity

Background Victims of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) show higher rates of several psychiatric and substance abuse disorders in adulthood. High rates of CSA have been reported in alcohol- or drug-dependent patients presenting to treatment. However, there is a paucity of European research with regard to in-patient alcohol-dependent populations. Aims The aim was to describe the prevalence of CSA in a UK sample of alcohol-dependent in-patients admitted over a 3-year period to a specialist alcohol unit; also to identify sociodemographic, alcohol and other substance use-related variables, and co-morbid psychiatric disorders associated with CSA. Method Clinical and socio-demographic data and information on childhood sexual abuse (CSA) were collected from 414 admissions, between September 1995 and September 1998, to the Specialist Alcohol Inpatient Unit. Results In the total sample of 414 subjects, 52 had experienced CSA. Of the 311 male subjects included in the study, 20 (6.4%) had experienced CSA. Of the 103 female subjects in the study sample, 32 (31.1%) disclosed having a history of CSA (CSA-females). Women victims of CSA were more likely to be non-white, to have a positive family history of alcoholism and to have fewer years of excessive drinking prior to admission. They were also significantly more likely to a have a lifetime diagnosis of depressive, anxiety and eating disorders, as well as being more likely to have a co-morbid post-traumatic stress disorder and a borderline personality disorder. Male victims had significantly higher Alcohol Problems Questionnaire (APQ) scores, were more likely to live alone, to be single, separate, divorced or widowed and to have a post-traumatic stress disorder and a borderline personality disorder. Conclusions Very few alcohol and drug abuse treatment units have developed programmes specifically designed to meet the needs of patients, and particularly women, who have experienced sexual abuse during childhood. However, as reflected by the relationship between CSA and dual diagnosis shown in this study, victims of CSA may represent an important subgroup of alcohol-dependent patients with specific needs. They may require the combination of various forms of pharmacological and psychological treatments to match their clinical characteristics. Declaration of interest None.

ALCOHOLIC TENDENCY AND EEG AROUSAL IN WOMEN: EFFECTS OF FAMILY HISTORY AND PERSONALITY UNDER EMOTIONAL STIMULATION

Alcoholism runs in families and is influenced by both genetic and personality factors. Important questions remain, however, as to just how neurological functioning is affected by these predispositions. As a result, the present study assessed the effects of both familiality and personality factors on electroencephalographic (EEG) responses. College students were prescreened for family history (FH) of and personality predisposition (PAP) toward alcoholism, and 60 subjects were assigned to four extreme groups representing the crossover of the familial and personality dimensions. Each participant was exposed to nonverbal positive and negative emotional stimuli. Electroencephalography was recorded at frontal, parietal, and temporal sites in both hemispheres throughout and analyzed to assess response in the fast and slow alpha and beta ranges. Results showed that those with either a positive family history of alcoholism alone or predisposing personality characteristics alone were less aroused than those without predispositions. However, those high on both dimensions had lower arousal than subjects in other cells. Findings were interpreted as supporting the theoretical inverted U-shaped relationship of arousal input to arousal output.

Peripheral neuropathy in chronic alcoholism: a retrospective cross-sectional study in 76 subjects.

A consecutive sample of 76 chronic alcoholic patients was studied clinically, biochemically and electrophysiologically to assess clinical and/or subclinical signs of alcohol-related neuropathy as well as the most important and disputed risk factors for neuropathy such as age, parental history of alcoholism, nutritional status, alcoholic disease duration and total lifetime dose of ethanol (TLDE). The results show that alcohol-related neuropathy, especially when subclinical, seems to be frequent and mostly characterized by axonal degeneration of peripheral nerve fibres with earlier and more frequent involvement of sensory fibres and lower limbs. Moreover, positive family history of alcoholism, but above all alcoholic disease duration and TLDE, could be more important factors than malnutrition in determining neuropathy.

Sweet liking and family history of alcoholism in hospitalized alcoholic and non-alcoholic patients.

The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that preference for stronger sweet solutions may be associated with the genetic risk for alcoholism. Thirty-two male patients with alcohol dependence admitted for alcoholism in-patient treatment and 25 non-alcoholic control subjects were used in the study. Hedonic response to sweets was evaluated using the sweet preference test. Family history of alcoholism was evaluated using a Russian version of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test modified for the assessment of the alcohol-related behaviour of the subject's biological father. Similar to our previous findings, alcoholics were far more likely to prefer the highest offered sucrose concentration (0.83 M), compared to non-alcoholic controls. Such preference was determined by two factors: positive family history of alcoholism and alcoholic status. Statistically, these factors contributed to the likelihood of preferring sweet solutions independently. Therefore, the effects of these factors may enhance each other. These findings support the hypothesis that preference for a stronger sweet solution is associated with a paternal history of alcohol dependence and may reflect a genetic predisposition to alcoholism.

Parental History of Alcoholism and Problem Behaviors in Native‐American Children and Adolescents

A positive family history of alcoholism is one of the most consistent and powerful predictors of a person's risk for developing this disorder. This finding has stimulated much research on etiological vulnerability factors and mechanisms by which children of alcoholic parents are at high risk for developing alcohol-related problems. In primarily Euro-American samples, parental alcoholism has been associated with a variety of negative outcomes for children and adolescents, including problematic behavior. Native-American Indians, in addition to high rates of alcoholism and alcohol-related mortality, have the highest prevalence of a positive family history for alcoholism of all ethnic groups in the United States. This study used the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) to evaluate behavioral problems in 96 Mission Indian children and adolescents based on the presence or absence of parental alcohol dependence and sex of the offspring. Consistent with previous research, results indicated a high prevalence of a positive family history of alcoholism in these Native-American youths. Seventy-four percent of the offspring had either one or both parents with alcohol dependence (children of alcoholics). Only 7% had no first- or second-degree alcoholic relatives. Results indicated that sons of alcoholics scored significantly higher on the Total Behavior Problem scale, as well as the Internalizing and Externalizing scales, of the CBCL than sons of nonalcoholics, whereas there were no significant differences in CBCL scores between daughters of alcoholics and daughters of nonalcoholics. It is noteworthy that scores on the CBCL for Mission Indian children of alcoholics were comparable to scores in the published literature of children of alcoholics of other ethnicities. In addition, a relatively low percentage of youths were identified with significant levels of behavioral problems. These findings suggest that sons of alcoholics of Mission Indian heritage experience more problems than sons of nonalcoholics, but also suggest that Mission Indian children of alcoholics are not more vulnerable to behavioral problems than children of alcoholic parents of other ethnic backgrounds.

Parental History of Alcoholism and Problem Behaviors in Native-American Children and Adolescents

Background: A positive family history of alcoholism is one of the most consistent and powerful predictors of a person's risk for developing this disorder. This finding has stimulated much research on etiological vulnerability factors and mechanisms by which children of alcoholic parents are at high risk for developing alcohol-related problems. In primarily Euro-American samples, parental alcoholism has been associated with a variety of negative outcomes for children and adolescents, including problematic behavior. Native-American Indians, in addition to high rates of alcoholism and alcohol-related mortality, have the highest prevalence of a positive family history for alcoholism of all ethnic groups in the United States. Methods: This study used the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) to evaluate behavioral problems in 96 Mission Indian children and adolescents based on the presence or absence of parental alcohol dependence and sex of the offspring. Results: Consistent with previous research, results indicated a high prevalence of a positive family history of alcoholism in these Native-American youths. Seventy-four percent of the offspring had either one or both parents with alcohol dependence (children of alcoholics). Only 7% had no first- or second-degree alcoholic relatives. Results indicated that sons of alcoholics scored significantly higher on the Total Behavior Problem scale, as well as the Internalizing and Externalizing scales, of the CBCL than sons of nonalcoholies, whereas there were no significant differences in CBCL scores between daughters of alcoholics and daughters of nonalcoholics. It is noteworthy that scores on the CBCL for Mission Indian children of alcoholics were comparable to scores in the published literature of children of alcoholics of other ethnicities. In addition, a relatively low percentage of youths were identified with significant levels of behavioral problems. Conclusions: These findings suggest that sons of alcoholics of Mission Indian heritage experience more problems than sons of nonalcoholics, but also suggest that Mission Indian children of alcoholics are not more vulnerable to behavioral problems than children of alcoholic parents of other ethnic backgrounds.

Reduced EEG Alpha Power in the Male and Female Offspring of Alcoholics

Abnormalities in resting EEG may be associated with a predisposition to alcoholism. Research also suggests that high levels of negative affect are important mediators of the predisposition to alcoholism in the offspring of alcoholics. This study tested the hypothesis that the offspring of alcoholics show deficits in EEG alpha and excessive EEG beta activity, which, in turn, would be associated with high levels of negative affect. Participants were 37 men and 27 women with a positive family history of alcoholism and 37 men and 29 women with a negative family history of alcoholism. Personal and family history of psychopathology, psychological traits, and resting EEG were each assessed in separate testing sessions. Results indicated that subjects with a family history of alcoholism had reduced relative and absolute alpha power in occipital (O1, O2) and frontal (F3, F4, Fz) regions, and increased relative beta in both regions compared with subjects with a negative family history of alcoholism. EEG alpha and beta activity were not significantly correlated with trait anxiety, a diagnosis of depression, or antisocial traits. The results suggest that deficits in resting EEG alpha are associated with risk for alcoholism, although their etiological significance is unclear.

Alcoholism in a geriatric outpatient clinic of São Paulo-Brazil.

Alcohol abuse and dependence are an increasing health problem among the elderly, but there is only scanty information about their prevalence and associated risk factors in developing countries. The authors set out to evaluate the prevalence and associated clinical/demographic features of alcoholism in a sample of male elderly subjects attending a Geriatric Primary Health Outpatient Clinic in a State University Hospital in the City of São Paulo-Brazil. Three hundred four patients were assessed with the Brazilian version of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test and a semistructured questionnaire designed to investigate associated features. Lifetime alcoholism was present in 15.1% of the sample, although only 4.3% were active drinkers. Patients classified as "cases" were younger than their nonalcoholic counterparts (70.61 vs. 73.31), and there was a mild, though not significant, excess of Blacks and Mulattos among the former (32.6% vs. 15.9%). Cases were also more likely to rely on their family for financial support (59.0% vs. 43.5%) and to acknowledge a positive family history of alcoholism (51.4% vs. 31.2%). Alcohol abuse or dependence was further associated with heavy smoking (58.7% vs. 44.0%). The authors concluded that alcoholism in this Brazilian elderly sample was likely to be associated with an earlier age at onset of medical problems, financial dependence, Black/Mulatto race, smoking, and positive family history of alcohol abuse/dependence. The authors suggest that the use of standardized methods of assessment of alcoholism in general medical settings may increase the detection of cases and contribute to improved health measures for the management of these patients.

Behavioral and cognitive measurements predict scores on the MAST: a 3-year prospective study.

This experiment examined the ability of neuropsychological and behavioral tests of anterior brain functioning to predict changes in alcohol-related behaviors 3 years after the initial evaluation. One hundred four young adult subjects, sixty-six of whom had a positive family history of alcoholism, filled out the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST), self-rated the frequency with which they consumed alcohol, and completed a retrospective test of childhood hyperactivity/impulsivity/conduct problems (Wender Behavioral Checklist). Eighty-three of the subjects also completed a neuropsychological battery consisting of cognitive tests of executive functioning (i.e., Trails, Categories Test, Similarities) and motor tests (i.e., TPT, hand dynamometer, finger tapping). Subjects returned to complete the alcohol-related measures during a second testing session 3 years later. Changes in MAST scores, and in alcohol consumption, between the first and second test session were computed, and median splits classified subjects into "high" versus "low" change groups. After factor analysis of the cognitive and behavioral data, hierarchical logistic regression equations assessed the ability of the cognitive and behavioral variables, as well as the presence of a positive family history of alcoholism, to predict future changes in the alcohol outcome measures. Scores from the WENDER behavioral checklist predicted future changes in the MAST scores (p = 0.0026), with more impaired scores associated with higher MAST scores. Tests of executive functioning, in subjects with a positive family history of alcoholism, predicted alcohol consumption (p = 0.033). None of the other predictor variables showed any relationship to the alcohol-related outcome measures.

Sensation seeking, alcoholism and dopamine activity

Sensation seeking scale (SSS) scores were determined in 15 alcohol dependent men with a positive family history for alcoholism (FHP), in 15 alcohol dependent men with a negative family history for alcoholism (FHN) and in 15 well-matched healthy male controls (CONTR). Both FHPs and FHNs suffered from longlasting alcohol dependence meeting ICD-10 and DSM-III-R diagnostic criteria. Dopamine activity was neuroendocrinologically assessed by measuring the amount of growth hormone released after stimulation with the dopamine receptor agonist apomorphine. Planned comparisons within a one-way ANOVA yielded significantly elevated levels of boredom susceptibility (BOS) in both FHPs and FHNs against CONTRs. SSS total scores, while approaching statistical significance, were elevated in FHPs only. Partial correlations (controlling for age, body weight, alcohol intake and duration of dependence) were calculated to examine the relationship between SSS and dopamine activity. Among the SSS subtraits, BOS revealed the highest correlation in each group. However, only in CONTRs did the relationship between BOS and dopamine activity reach statistical significance.