Excessive alcohol consumption can be associated with cognitive impairm
ent not only in drinkers but also in their offspring. Studies of child
ren of alcoholics (COA's), and particularly of sons of male alcoholics
(SOMA's), have identified a characteristic cognitive profile, COA's f
requently have deficits in verbal skills, classification of verbal and
visual stimuli, abstract thinking, and goal-directed planning, SOMA's
show additional deficits in visuospatial abilities, perceptual motor
skills, and learning and memory. A model is described that explains ho
w the observed cognitive deficits may contribute to the behavioral pro
blems frequently observed in COA's and to their risk of becoming alcoh
olic themselves. However, only some, but not all, COA's exhibit a cogn
itive profile predictive of behavioral problems.