Electroencephalographic responses to alcohol challenge in native American mission Indians

Background: Native Americans have same of the highest rates of alcohol abus e and dependence, yet potential central nervous system risk factors respons ible for the problem drinking seen in some tribes remain relatively unknown . Methods: Background electroencephalographic (EEG) variants and response to alcohol were investigated in 48 Native American Mission Indian men between 18 and 25 years old. Results: Subjects with 50% or greater Native American heritage had a signif icantly higher proportion of low-voltage EEG variants. Within this sample o f Mission Indian men however, a family history of alcohol dependence was as sociated with a greater incidence of high-voltage alpha EEGs. Mission India n men also evidenced a "less depressant, more stimulating" response to alco hol as quantified by less alcohol-induced reductions in alpha greater EEG s tability and increased alcohol-induced beta activity. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that certain genetically regulated EEG variants that have been previously associated with risk for alcoholism in Caucasians may also be more common in these Mission Indian men. Addition ally, EEG measures of response to alcohol do not provide support for the co mmonly held idea that Indians are more sensitive to the depressant effects of alcohol. (C) 1999 Society of Biological Psychiatry.