Effect of Alcohol on Short Term Memory in Alcoholics

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Abstract
Acute alcohol intoxication is commonly followed by partial or total amnesia† for events occurring during the drinking period (Goodwin et al., 1969a). Individuals observed during the ‘blackout’ period have been noted to have a specific short term memory deficit, with remote and immediate memory largely intact (Ryback, 1970; Goodwin et al., 1970; Tamerin et al., 1971). The amnesia appears to be anterograde rather than retrograde, resembling the characteristic memory deficit in Korsakov's syndrome. Speculation has ensued that blackouts and Korsakov's syndrome may share common pathophysiological elements, though there is no direct evidence for this (Goodwin et al., 1969b).