Normal neuropsychological abilities of alcoholic men in their late thirties.

The neuropsychological performance of alcoholic men in their late 30s (mean age, 37 years), some of whom has been abstinent for 3 weeks and others for 18 months, was compared with that of a group of men who drank occasionally. There were no differences between the alcoholic groups and the comparison group that could not be attributed to normal aging. The number of years of alcoholism or estimated lifetime alcohol use, dietary adequacy, and medical or blackout history did not relate to neuropsychological impairment. The authors suggest that a simple "dose-effect" relationship between alcohol use and cognitive decline cannot be assumed.