THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL INTOXICATION ON COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIORAL PROCESS

Abstract

Studies about the neuropsychological aspects of alcohol have increased recently. Researches investigating the effects of alcohol intoxication are focused on both the mechanism of action of neurotransmitters and brain regions determined to use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In addition, it is seen that experimental studies on the psychological effects of alcohol intoxication. Alcohol intoxication occurs with rising about 100 mg/dl in the blood alcohol level. The effects of intoxicated have changes in cognitive functioning such as weakening of attention, response inhibition and changes in behavior like aggression. Alcohol with the transmission via neurotransmitters in the prefrontal region indicates that weaken the neuronal activation in these regions. Therefore, during alcohol intoxication it is seen that decreased self-regulation and self-control, delayed responding and shifting response contingencies, impaired executive functioning. Anterior cingulat cortex (ACC) is known to be activated in alcohol intoxication and it is explained with focused attention, which is indicated that deteriorating perception and the content of thought cause arising the focused attention. According to multiple meta-analyses of experimental researches, alcohol intoxication augments aggressive behavior reacting when provocation occurs. Findings from researches on aggression have shown that the medial prefrontal region is activated on displaced aggression and the dorsal ACC is activated on general aggression. Within this context could be explained arising general aggresion during the alcohol intoxication. In the light of all this information although alcohol intoxication cause cognitive, emotional and behavioral effects; it thought to be insufficient brain imaging studies on alcohol intoxication consisting of the whole.

Keywords

• THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL INTOXICATION ON COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIORAL PROCESS

Kaynakça

1. Merve VATANSEVER, Hilal KAYA
2. Ankara University, Institute of Forensic Sciences Department of Forensic Psychology Ankara University, Institute of Forensic Sciences Department of Forensic Psychology