Acute effects of ethanol on motor performance and movement-related brain potentials.
The acute effects of ethanol on skilled motor functions were examined in male social drinkers, under four doses ranging from 0 (placebo) to 1.05 g/kg lean body weight. The movement entailed a forewarned choice transitive motion of the arm and hand, aimed at a flanking target. Performance measures disclosed only small effects of ethanol on speed and accuracy of movement. The simultaneously-recorded movement-related brain potentials disclosed decreased involvement of frontal and posterior brain areas, suggesting that ethanol disrupted the planning and regulation of movement despite the overall preservation of reaction speed.
Rohrbaugh
J W
JW
Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Stapleton
J M
JM
Frowein
H W
HW
Adinoff
B
B
Varner
J L
JL
Lane
E A
EA
Eckardt
M J
MJ
Linnoila
M
M
D003265:Contingent Negative Variation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000187:drug effects*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects
D000431:Ethanol