Relationships between Blood Alcohol, Positional Alcohol Nystagmus and Postural Equilibrium

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Abstract
Qunatitative relationships between blood alcohol levels, positional alcohol nystagmus (PAN) andpostural equilibrium performances measured with a new quantitative ataxia test battery and with a series of clinical-type ataxia tests were explored. The subjects were 13 healthy volunteers free of any vestibular disturbances or of significant histories of auricular difficulties. Each subject drank 1 cc of vodka per lb of body weight mixed with 4 parts of orange juice within 15 min. In the first experiment 80-proof vodka was used and in the second, 2 days later, 100-proof vodka. Blood alcohol levels, positional nystagmus and postural equilibrium were measured before and after the alcohol. Ataxia was measured by standing on the floor with eyes closed, walking and standing on a 3/4-inch wide rail with eyes open, standing with eyes closed on a 2 1/4-inch rail, standing on one leg (right and left) with eyes closed and walking a line with eyes closed. Maximum blood alcohol levels occurred 70 min after beginning to drink the 80-proof and 60 min after the 100-proof vodka (75 and 96 mg per 100 ml, respectively), and remained only briefly after the 80-proof but for 2 hr after the 100-proof vodka. After the alcohol all subjects showed the 2 typical phases of PAN; PANI started about 30 min after beginning of drinking and lasted for 4 hr; PANII started 5 1/2 hr after, with the nystagmus reversed (to the left in the right lateral position and to the right in the left lateral position). Ataxia performance levels declined 30 to 45 min after the alcohol, with peak decrements at 60 to 75 min. Recovery was observed as early as 120 min on one test and as late as 420 min on another. Generally the 100-proof vodka produced greater decrement and slower recovery. The ataxic responses were in very close agreement with the intensity of PANI. The maximum ataxia, however, was observed sooner than the maximum blood alcohol levels, and the ataxia was beginning to improve during the periods when high blood alcohol levels were sustained. No systematic ataxia test relationships with PAN II were observed. During the experiment each subject kept a diary of his intoxication symptoms; these were in accord with the examiners[image] observations, the blood alcohol levels and the PAN and ataxia test responses.

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