Memory Profile of Persons with Alcohol Dependent and Normal Healthy Controls A Comparative Study

Background: Alcohol intake is one the most serious problem in modern society. Memory problem is a common symptom of alcohol dependent patients. Studies differ in findings, though the deficits that have been implicated are verbal memory, executive functions and working memory. Aim of the study: The aim of the present study was to investigate the memory function of alcohol dependent patients and compared to normal healthy controls. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 41 male patients of alcohol dependent aged between18 to 50 years, selected using purposive sampling technique and 41 normal healthy controls (having General Health Questionnaire-12 score of less than three) matched for age, sex and education with the former group. After obtaining an informed consent details of sociodemographic variables and clinical history were evaluated on interview with the patient on first contact and administered PGI-Memory scale. The present research work was approved by the ethical committee of the University. Result and Conclusion: The alcohol dependent patients showed deficits on all memory domains viz. recent memory, mental balance, attention and concentration, delayed and immediate recall, retention for similar and dissimilar pairs, visual retention and recognition.