Summary
Performance in four intellectual tests (verbal, numerical, inductive, spatial) was examined in 8 healthy subjects after the intake of a dose of alcohol corresponding to 0.8 g per kg of body weight. Attempts were made to maintain the blood alcohol at about 0.8 per mil during the period of psychological testing by means of an intravenous drip of about 0.1 g alcohol per kg of body weight per hour. Comparisons with results obtained in a placebo condition showed that performance in the numerical and spatial tests was significantly impaired by this dose of alcohol, whereas effects on performance in the verbal and inductive tests could not be demonstrated. The results indicated that accuracy was more sensitive than speed of performance to the action of alcohol at the present dose level.
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The investigation was supported by a grant from the University of Stockholm.
We wish to thank Professor L. Goldberg for valuable advice, and Mrs. A. Hultén for carrying out the blood analyses.
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Frankenhaeuser, M., Myrsten, A.L. & Järpe, G. Effects of a moderate dose of alcohol on intellectual functions. Psychopharmacologia 3, 344–351 (1962). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00408319
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00408319