Influence of Alcohol on Cognitive Performance in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury

Research examining the effects of alcohol on traumatic brain injury (TBI) is inconclusive. Studies focusing on intoxication at the time of injury have resulted in both positive and negative cognitive outcomes, while studies focusing on history of alcohol use have also found conflicting results. It is also unknown which has more of an impact on cognitive outcome following TBI- acute intoxication or a history of alcohol misuse. The purpose of this research was to investigate the role of acute intoxication and alcohol misuse in the cognitive outcome of TBI. Participants were 94 patients from a Midwest regional hospital who had sustained a TBI, and who were given the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status to measure cognitive performance. Analysis revealed that chronic alcohol misuse prior to a TBI did not result in a poorer cognitive outcome. Analysis also revealed that acute intoxication and a history of alcohol misuse prior to a TBI did not result in poorer cognitive outcome. A history of alcohol misuse does not negatively impact cognitive performance following a TBI in a significant manner, and intoxication at the time of injury may result in positive cognitive outcomes due to a neuroprotective effect