Executive Function and Alcohol Dependence

Executive function (EF) guides complex behavior such as planning, decision-making, and response control. Alcohol dependence (AD) is known to impair EF. New findings indicate that increased impulsiveness and decreased EF may comprise an inherited trait that signifies greater risk for developing AD. Executive function (EF), frequently associated with the frontal lobes, guides complex behavior such as planning, decision-making, and response control. EF impairment due to alcohol dependence (AD) has been linked to alcohols toxic effects on the frontal lobes. A study of EF in a group of adult offspring of AD individuals has found that increased impulsiveness and decreased EF may comprise an inherited trait that signifies greater risk for developing AD. "Executive functions are requested each time a subject faces a new situation or when habits are not adapted to a particular situation," explained Fabien Gierski, "For example, an individual with an EF deficit will have difficulties in adapting to unexpected events in the course of the day, such as a car breakdown. This individual will also have difficulties inhibiting habitual response patterns. For example, if he has the habit of eating ice cream every evening while watching TV, but is currently on a diet, it will be difficult to inhibit this habit." "The brains ability to inhibit maladaptive behaviors – also known as self-control – as well as impulsivity are thought to comprise a key element in...
Source: Twelve Step Facilitation.com - Category: Addiction Authors: Tags: Alcohol Alcoholism Brain Disease of addiction Research alcohol-dependence decision-making Executive Function Source Type: blogs