Effects of a low dose of alcohol on recollective experience of illusory memory.

RATIONALE

Memory illusions are currently a focus of memory research. Studies using the Deese/Roediger and McDermott paradigm have shown a differential pattern of illusory memories is associated with amnesia and ageing. The effects of pharmacological agents in this paradigm are not yet known.

OBJECTIVE

Using this paradigm, the present study investigated the effects of a low dose of alcohol upon recollective experience of illusory memories.

METHODS

A double-blind cross-over design was used to compare the effects of alcohol (0.26-0.28 g.kg-1) with a matched placebo drink.

RESULTS

High levels of false recognition were obtained across both treatments, replicating previous results. Although the small dose of alcohol employed did not produce gross changes in measures of false memory, it did modify the pattern of recollective experience in terms of remember and know responses. Specifically, it increased the level of remember responses for falsely recognised items (critical lures).

CONCLUSION

These results are discussed in terms of ethanol's effects on false recognition of information which was not presented during the study episode. The effects of low dose alcohol on illusory memory are similar to the pattern found in ageing rather than that found in organic amnesia.