Special Section

ALCOHOL HEALTH & RESEARCH WORLD The importance of genetic factors in alcoholism 1 has prompted a search for markers for susceptibility to this disorder. Specific cognitive impairments revealed by neuropsychological testing may provide such markers. Cognition refers to the processes involved in obtaining, organizing, and using information. These processes fall into various intellectual domains, such as verbal processing (e.g., learning lists or stories), visual-spatial processing (e.g., identifying similarities in pictures or figures), perceptual-motor skills (e.g., tracing maps or images), and abstracting or problem-solving (e.g., thinking about one’s actions or developing a plan for solving a problem). Studies reveal that between 50 and 85 percent of detoxified alcoholics may exhibit deficits in one or more of these intellectual domains (Parsons 1987; National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism [NIAAA] 1989). It is unclear, however, whether these deficits in cognitive processing all result from the toxic effects of alcohol or whether some cognitive deficits precede the onset of drinking. Studies suggest that cognitive deficiencies similar to those observed in detoxified alcoholics may occur in some of their children before they use alcohol (Gillen and Hesselbrock 1992). Although children of alcoholics (COA’s) are at increased risk for abusing alcohol, a significant percentage of them do not drink excessively (Tarter and Edwards 1986; Pihl and Bruce 1995). It is not known whether COA’s with preexisting cognitive problems similar to those of adult alcoholics are at greatest risk. Examining cognitive processes in COA’s is therefore important, because doing so may identify risk factors that predispose one to alcohol use, while revealing potential problems that COA’s might face in school. For example, COA’s with difficulties in problem-solving or emotional control may experience increased vulnerability to stress in social situations, leading to maladjustment and alcohol abuse (Wilson and Nagoshi 1988). In a detailed model of this possibility, Tarter and colleagues (1989) suggested that the interaction of family dynamics, peer influences, and intellectual functions may predispose adolescents to harmful alcohol use. Although research in this area continues, existing studies have contributed much to our understanding of the complexity of the problem. This overview highlights some relevant research; a complete review of the vast literature on this topic is beyond the scope of the article.