Event-related potentials and comorbidity in alcohol-dependent adult males

The present study examined event-related potentials (ERPs) elicited by a vi sual discrimination task in a community sample of adult males with a lifeti me diagnosis of alcohol dependence. Study participants were subtyped by the presence of additional comorbid disorders (antisocial personality, depress ion, and drug abuse or dependence). In all groups of alcohol-dependent subj ects, even those without any additional comorbid disorders, P3 amplitude di ffered from that of a comparison group. Alcohol-dependent subjects with a d iagnosis of illicit drug abuse or dependence, especially if they had antiso cial personality as well, had the smallest amplitude responses. The amplitu de profile of the P3 across the parietal electrodes used as active sites wa s flattened among alcoholic subjects, with P3 amplitude disproportionately reduced at the midline. Among alcoholic subjects with a lifetime diagnosis of depression, the flattened amplitude profile was due to elevated mean amp litude of the P3 at lateral leads, especially P4, relative to the compariso n group. Alterations in ERP responses appear to be a general characteristic of alcoholism in men, although the presence of other comorbid disorders, p articularly drug abuse or dependence together with antisocial personality, results in the greatest reductions in P3 amplitude.