Blink reflex abnormalities in chronic alcoholics.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of blink reflex as a method for obtaining early diagnosis of cranial nerve involvement in alcoholic patients.


METHODS
The study was conducted on 30 male alcoholics with a mean age of 43 years. They had histories of alcohol abuse for at least 6 years (mean: 25). At the time of recording, they had undergone detoxification treatment for a mean of 27 days.


RESULTS
R1 (early response), R2Y (second ipsilateral response), and R2C (second contralateral response) latencies in alcoholics were prolonged relative to controls and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.02, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). According to the defined criteria, 40% of the patients had abnormal responses, and the most common abnormality was the unilateral prolongation of R1 (13%).


CONCLUSIONS
Finding abnormal blink reflex responses in alcoholic patients has suggested that blink reflex testing is a useful method for the evaluation of subclinical cranial nerve involvement in alcoholic patients. Blink reflex testing may be useful in detecting early changes and in the follow-up of alcoholic disorder.
Department of Neurology-Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey. bijennazliel@yahoo.com
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Nazliel
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Arikan
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Irkeç
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Karakiliç
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001767:Blinking / Q000502:physiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012021:Reflex, Abnormal / Q000502:physiology*