EEG, AUTONOMIC AND SUBJECTIVE CORRELATES OF THE RISK FOR ALCOHOLISM

Electroencephalographic, autonomic and subjective reactions to alcohol were examined among 78 young nonalcoholic men, cross-classified with respect to the presence/absence of a family history of alcoholism (FH) and the presence/absence of a personal history of antisocial personal ity disorder (ASP). Both an alcohol placebo and alcohol (0.32 ml/kg) w ere administered in a single laboratory session. The four groups of su bjects were compared at baseline, and at several discrete time points before and after consumption of placebo and alcoholic beverages. Durin g the baseline period, ASP+ subjects exhibited significantly more body sway and faster frontal EEG activity than their ASP- counterparts. Th e combination of ASP with FH was associated, at baseline, with an exce ssive amount of high frequency (18.6 - 27.6 Hz) beta activity in the r ight frontal EEG. After beverage consumption, several significant FH e ffects emerged that were independent of the effects of ASP. After plac ebo consumption, FH+ subjects exhibited significantly more fast alpha (10.9 - 12.5 Hz) activity at the right frontal electrode than FH- subj ects. This difference persisted until blood alcohol concentrations beg an to rise, at which time fast alpha activity in FH+ subjects declined to FH- levels. Differences between the two FH groups were also appare nt in their subjective reactions to the placebo and alcoholic beverage s. Relative to FH- subjects, FH+ subjects rated themselves as more int oxicated after consuming the placebo but less intoxicated after consum ing alcohol. FH+ subjects expressed greater confidence in their abilit y to resist the offer of an alcoholic drink across most time points.