[Visual evoked potentials in chronic alcoholics].

In 25 chronic alcoholics (24 men, 1 women, mean age 45 years, mean period of abuse 26 years) the authors examined visual evoked potentials to stimulation by checkerboard pattern reversal. The results were compared with findings in a control group of 46 healthy subjects. An abnormal finding as regards the VEP was recorded in 28% of the alcoholics. The differences comprised a prolongation of the latency and poorer reproducibility and differentiation ability of the evoked complex which frequently had an atypical shape. On the other hand, the mean amplitude of VEP in the two groups did not differ significantly. There was no difference as regards mean age and mean period of abuse between alcoholics with a normal and abnormal VEP finding. All alcoholics who after successful treatment abstained for at least three months had a normal VEP finding. This may suggest a relative reversibility of VEP changes in chronic alcoholics, assuming treatment and abstinence. The authors did not prove any effect of Antabuse on VEP.