Cognitive deficits in patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome and their course after 24 weeks: follow up study at a tertiary care hospital

INTRODUCTION. Cognitive deficits in multiple domains are known to occur in patients with alcohol dependence and pose hindrance in management. Research in these deficits from India has been rare and course of these deficits is largely unknown. AIM: Our study aimed to find out the nature and extent of cognitive deficits using a Neuropsychological tool validated in the Indian population, and follow them up for 24 wks to ascertain change in the deficits. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The study was carried out at a psychiatry unit of a tertiary care centre in New Delhi, India. Eighty freshly diagnosed cases of alcohol dependence syndrome and 80 healthy controls were recruited for the study. PGI-BBD (Post graduate Institute – Battery of Brain Dysfunction) was administered on all patients and controls. The same was followed up at 2 wks, 6wks and 24 wks. RESULTS. Compared to controls, the patients had significant dysfunction in all domains of PGI memory scale and verbal intelligence measures. However the dysfunction in the performance measures was not significant. These deficits improved significantly at 6 wks and 24 wks. CONCLUSION. There are significant cognitive deficits in patients with alcohol dependence syndrome and these deficits improve with abstinence. Keywords