Neuropsychological performance of South African treatment-naïve adolescents with alcohol dependence

BackgroundAlcohol dependence (AD) in developmentally vulnerable adolescents is ubiquitous and confers a risk for long-term neurocognitive sequelae, yet comorbid substance use disorders and psychopathology can complicate interpretations. Here, we compare cognitive functioning in adolescents with and without AD, who are free from comorbid disorders.MethodsEnglish- and Afrikaans-speaking adolescents (13–15 years) of mixed ancestry and low socio-economic status were recruited from the Cape Town region of South Africa. Adolescents with psychiatric, developmental, or other substance use disorders (SUDs) were excluded.AD (n = 26) and control (n = 26) groups were matched on age, gender, language, and level of education. Neuropsychological testing in participants’ home language followed detailed medical/psychiatric evaluation.ResultsAlthough our sample included participants who smoked tobacco, lifetime dosage of other drugs was negligible. When tobacco and other drug use as well as demographic variables were controlled, adolescents with AD performed more poorly on measures of Verbal Story Memory, Self-Monitoring, and Psychomotor Speed and Coordination.ConclusionsThese preliminary results, although relatively subtle, suggest that adolescents with AD may be at increased risk for failure to reach optimal levels of neuromaturation, and may be susceptible to cognitive problems associated with protracted alcohol consumption.