title: Task persistence after alcohol consumption among children of alcoholics.
abstract: Two studies examined task persistence after alcohol consumption among young adult offspring of alcoholics [children of alcoholics (COAs)] and young adult offspring of nonalcoholics (NonCOAs). In study I, heavy drinking college seniors (n = 294) participated in a laboratory alcohol challenge in the context of a baseline assessment for a longitudinal study. Subjects completed a computerized administration of the Matching Familiar Figures Test in two halves: the first half sober, and the second half approximately 50 min after consuming a 0.8 ml/kg body weight dose of ethanol. COAs demonstrated significantly greater acceleration of response latencies after consumption of alcohol compared with NonCOAs. In study II, moderate-to-heavy drinking volunteers (n = 149) were recruited for a one-time laboratory alcohol challenge, and completed a circle-tracing task three times approximately 50 min after consuming a 0.8 ml/kg body weight dose of ethanol. COAs displayed significantly less persistence on the second and third circle-tracing trials compared with NonCOAs. Data are discussed in relation to models of impulsivity and differential alcohol sensitivity among COAs.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects*; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000187:drug effects; D010641:Phenotype; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000187:drug effects; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol