Citation

Sher L. Int. J Disabil. Hum. Dev. 2007; 6(2): 149-152.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Nova Science Publishers)

DOI

10.1515/IJDHD.2007.6.2.149

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Etiological models for alcohol use disorders have traditionally proposed trait and cognitive explanations for initiation, maintenance, and dependence. Numerous studies have shown that heavy drinkers and subjects suffering from alcohol dependence have reduced performance on neurocognitive tests compared with controls. Alcohol dependence is an important risk factor for suicidal behavior. The large population of individuals with alcohol dependence, the relative frequency of suicides and suicide-related behaviors in this population, and the devastating effects of attempted and completed suicides on individuals, families, and society make this an important area for research. Data suggest that neuropsychological dysfunction may play a role in determining risk for suicidal acts. Suicide attempters have been characterized as "cognitively rigid" based on self-ratings and performance on mental flexibility tasks. Depressed subjects with a history of high-lethality suicide attempts exhibited deficits in executive functioning that were independent of deficits associated with depression alone. Alcohol use disorders are associated with both cognitive impairment and suicidal behavior. It is possible that cognitive abnormalities contribute to increased suicidality in individuals with alcohol use disorders. Future studies of the role of cognitive abnormalities in Ihe pathophysiology of suicidal behavior are merited. © 2007, by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

human; cognition; suicide; alcohol; Alcohol; incidence; alcoholism; suicidal ideation; depression; mortality; suicide attempt; suicidal behavior; risk factor; review; disease association; drinking behavior; cognitive defect; neuropsychology; task performance; neurophysiology; mental test