title: Alcohol, head injury, and neuropsychological function.
abstract: Evidence is reviewed indicating that the extent of alcohol abuse alone cannot account for the neuropsychological deficits observed in alcoholics, and that alcohol abuse and head injury may interact in some patients to influence neuropsychological status. Alcohol abuse both increases the risk for head trauma and potentiates the resulting brain injury, which can lead to negative neuropsychological consequences. Clinicians involved in the treatment of addiction should assess patients for history of head injury, and neuropsychological deficits consequent to both head injury and ethanol. These deficits may limit patient ability to comply with addiction rehabilitation programs. Conversely, clinicians in acute care and rehabilitation of the sequelae of head trauma should routinely assess their patients for substance abuse, because such abuse can have a significant impact on recovery from brain injury.
authors.affiliation: Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Solomon
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Malloy
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol