Response inhibition impairments predict alcohol-induced sedation.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to probe the relationship between the subjective effects of alcohol and impulsive behavior in social drinkers.


METHODS
Fifty social drinkers performed a response-inhibition task before consuming alcohol. A 0.8-g/kg dose of alcohol was administered in a binge-like fashion (0.2 g/kg every 30 min) to the participants over a 2-h time period. Participants then completed questionnaires measuring stimulation, sedation and mood following consumption of alcohol. Linear regression analyses were performed by examining the relationship between performance on the response inhibition impulsivity task and subjective responses to alcohol (i.e. stimulation, sedation and arousal).


RESULTS
There was a significant positive relationship found between impulsive responding and self-reported sedation following alcohol consumption. Additionally, there was a significant negative relationship between behavioral impulsivity and self-reported stimulation and arousal following alcohol consumption.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that higher levels of impulsivity are associated with experiencing greater sedating than stimulating effects of alcohol. Individuals with high levels of impulsivity may be less sensitive to the stimulating effects of a specified dose of alcohol, which could lead to these individuals consuming more alcohol to experience the stimulating effects of alcohol.
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA.
Erin E
EE
Shannon
Elizabeth R
ER
Staniforth
Juliette
J
McNamara
Kimberly A
KA
Bernosky-Smith
Anthony
A
Liguori
D000339:Affect; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D001519:Behavior; D001944:Breath Tests; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000431:Ethanol