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Compensating for alcohol-induced impairment of control: effects on inhibition and activation of behavior

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Abstract

Rationale

Studies have shown that expectations of alcohol-induced impairment can produce adaptive responses to alcohol that reduce the degree of behavioral impairment displayed. However, compensatory effects have been variable for cognitive and psychomotor tasks.

Objectives

Using a model-driven approach to understanding behavioral control, the present study examined compensatory and impairment effects following the expectation and actual administration of alcohol on the ability to inhibit and activate behavior.

Methods

Social drinkers (N=17) performed a cued go/no-go task that required quick responses to go targets and inhibition of responses to no-go targets under four conditions: no treatment, alcohol expectancy (placebo), 0.45 g/kg alcohol, and 0.65 g/kg alcohol.

Results

Inhibitory and activational aspects of behavioral control were impaired by both active doses of alcohol. Alcohol slowed response activation and increased failures to inhibit responses in a dose-dependent manner. Subjects also displayed a small, but statistically significant, compensatory improvement in inhibitory control in response to the expectation of alcohol. Moreover, individual differences in the compensatory response were related to differences in alcohol impairment. Those who displayed greater compensatory responses to placebo displayed the least impairment in response to alcohol.

Conclusions

By modeling behavioral control as the net effect of countervailing activational and inhibitory influences, the study suggests that fundamental mechanisms of control might not display uniform compensatory reactions to alcohol-related cues. Greater consideration of how alcohol-related expectancies shape behaviors under the drug should lead to a better understanding of individual differences with respect to risk for alcohol abuse.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by Grant R01 AA12895 from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and by Grant R01 DA14079 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40506-0044, USA

    Cecile A. Marczinski & Mark T. Fillmore

Authors
  1. Cecile A. Marczinski
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  2. Mark T. Fillmore
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Correspondence to Mark T. Fillmore.

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Marczinski, C.A., Fillmore, M.T. Compensating for alcohol-induced impairment of control: effects on inhibition and activation of behavior. Psychopharmacology 181, 337–346 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-005-2269-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-005-2269-4

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