The acute effects of alcohol on attention using the attention network test
- WCU Author/Contributor (non-WCU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Shayma M. Khalil (Creator)
- Institution
- Western Carolina University (WCU )
- Web Site: http://library.wcu.edu/
- Advisor
- David McCord
Abstract: The body of research on alcohol and its effects on the brain and human body is extensive.
Recent advances in neuroimaging have lead to a better understanding of the underlying
physiology of attention coupled with new innovations in methods to measure the
construct, have made the pursuit of research on Attention even more accessible. Using
the Attention Network Test (ANT), this study investigated the acute effects of alcohol on
the three neuronal networks within the brain associated with attention: Alerting,
Orienting, and Executive Control. Little is known about whether similar observations as
those reported in the literature on the acute effects of alcohol on attention can be made
using the ANT. College students (n=11) from the Western Carolina University
Community were administered the ANT during three test sessions. The first session was a
baseline assessment, followed by two sessions in which the participant received either a
placebo or an active dose of alcohol (.6g/kg). Results indicate that a moderate dose of
alcohol had no effect on Alerting or Orienting. However, this dose did impair
individuals’ Executive Control. These results illustrate the relatively specific effect of a
moderate dose of alcohol on frontally mediated Executive Control. These findings are
especially important when we consider the many functions of the frontal cortex and the
importance of Executive Control in complex human cognition and behavior.
The acute effects of alcohol on attention using the attention network test
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Created on 11/1/2009
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- Language: English
- Date: 2009
- Keywords
- Acute, Alcohol, Attention, Attention Networks
- Subjects
- Alcohol -- Physiological effect
- Cognition -- Effect of drugs on