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Affective Disorders with or Without Comorbid Alcohol Dependence: a Longitudinal Neuropsychological and Neuroimaging Investigation in Young Adults

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 April 2020

R.S.C. Lee
Affiliation:
Brain & Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
G. Dore
Affiliation:
Northern Sydney Drug & Alcohol Service Herbert Street Clinic, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, Australia
L. Juckes
Affiliation:
Northern Sydney Drug & Alcohol Service Herbert Street Clinic, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, Australia
J. Lagopoulos
Affiliation:
Brain & Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
S. Hatton
Affiliation:
Brain & Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
T. De Regt
Affiliation:
Brain & Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
S.L. Naismith
Affiliation:
Brain & Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
A. Tickell
Affiliation:
Brain & Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
I.B. Hickie
Affiliation:
Brain & Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
D.F. Hermens
Affiliation:
Brain & Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia

Abstract

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Introduction

Limited research has examined the early neuropsychological and neurobiological changes associated with comorbid affective disorders and alcohol dependence.

Objectives & Aims

To investigate the cognitive and volumetric changes in individuals diagnosed with affective disorders with or without comorbid alcohol dependence.

Methods

Young adults (n = 21) who were undergoing medically-managed inpatient alcohol detoxification with comorbid affective disorders were neuropsychologically assessed 4-weeks following hospital discharge, and additionally underwent MRI brain scans during admission and 4-weeks following discharge. An affective disorders-only group (n = 21) with an equal distribution of anxiety and mood disorders was recruited through a youth mental health clinic.

Results

Compared to affective disorders only (M = 31.8 ± 4.4 years old), individuals with affective disorders and alcohol dependence (M = 33.9 ± 6.3 years old; M = 21.1 ± 9.2 standard drinks/day) exhibited worse sustained attention and visual memory functioning. There was a highly significant association between drinking levels since detoxification and total brain volume change, such that resumption of heavy drinking attenuated brain volume gains associated with short-term abstinence (r = -0.87, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

In young adults with affective disorders, comorbid alcohol dependence is associated with more pronounced cognitive dysfunction, suggesting that these deficits are most relevant for cognitive remediation interventions. Crucially, abstinence or reduced drinking was associated with brain volume gains, whereas resumption of heavy drinking was associated with brain volume reductions, suggesting that medically-managed alcohol detoxification may, at least, partially reverse the neurobiological changes associated with prolonged alcohol dependence in young adults.

Type
Article: 1238
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2015
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