Alcohol use and its effects on neuropsychological outcome in head injury.

Neuropsychological outcome was examined in relation to head-injury severity and degree of alcohol problems in a large sample of head-injured Ss to determine whether preinjury alcohol abuse exacerbates the neuropsychological effects of a head injury. The results showed neuropsychological outcome is significantly related to head-injury severity and to alcohol use. However, the mechanisms responsible for the alcohol-related impairments are not as clear as those for head injury. Although it is difficult to untangle the specific contributions of a host of factors to the impairments observed, the results point to a subtype that is characterized by limited education, neuropsychological impairments, and a lifestyle concurrent with heavy drinking, including an increased risk for head injuries. Contrary to expectation, there was no evidence for a greater head-injury effect in those with more severe alcohol problems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)