[Intellectual decline in alcoholics].

161 alcoholics with an average abuse of alcohol of about five years who had volunteered to undergo treatment were given the IST (Amthauer). The average age for the 90 male and 71 female patients was 39 years. The results of the investigation indicated a decrease in intelligence, some functions of intelligence being more affected than others, especially in women. In addition a significant fixture of intelligence ("Verfestigung" according to Amthauer) was found. It may be assumed that the impaired intelligence performance can be attributed to disturbed attention and drives rather than to brain lesions. The possibility of restitution and modification of personality by psychotherapy is being discussed.