title: Effects of alcohol-induced working memory decline on alcohol consumption and adverse consequences of use.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alcohol use appears to decrease executive function acutely in a dose-dependent manner, and lower baseline executive function appears to contribute to problematic alcohol use. However, no studies, to our knowledge, have examined the relationship between individual differences in working memory (a subcomponent of executive function) after alcohol consumption and drinking behaviors and consequences.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The current study assessed the relationship between drinking behavior, alcohol-related consequences, and alcohol-induced changes in working memory (as assessed by Trail Making Test-B).
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants recruited from the community (n = 41), 57.3 % male, mean age 39.2, took part in a three-session, within-subjects, repeated-measures design. Participants were administered a placebo, 0.4 g/kg, or 0.8 g/kg dose of alcohol. Working memory, past 30-day alcohol consumption, and consequences of alcohol use were measured at baseline; working memory was measured again after each beverage administration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Poorer working memory after alcohol administration (controlling for baseline working memory) was significantly associated with a greater number of drinks consumed per drinking day. Additionally, we observed a significant indirect relationship between the degree of alcohol-induced working memory decline and adverse consequences of alcohol use, which was mediated through greater average drinks per drinking day.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is possible that greater individual susceptibility to alcohol-induced working memory decline may limit one's ability to moderate alcohol consumption as evidenced by greater drinks per drinking day and that this results in more adverse consequences of alcohol use.
authors.affiliation: Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, USA. william_lechner@brown.edu.
authors.forename: William V
authors.initials: WV
authors.lastname: Lechner
authors.affiliation: Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, USA.
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Day
authors.affiliation: Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, USA.|Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence, USA.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Metrik
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA.
authors.forename: Adam M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Leventhal
authors.affiliation: Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Kahler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology / Q000639:trends*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014145:Trail Making Test; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol
keywords: Alcohol; Alcohol abuse; Executive function; Problem drinking; Working memory