The research described in this proposal is directed toward a further delineation of the nature and the extent of skeletal muscle and psychomotor deficits resulting from the heavy, chronic use of alcoholic beverages. A primary goal is the description of patterns of alcohol intake most likely to produce untoward consequences. Equally important will be the assessment of recovery of function (one-year follow-up) that results when the use of alcohol is successfully controlled. Our access to both male and female, white and black subpopulations of varying ages in treatment programs will allow us to examine the interaction of race, gender and age with performance measures. The performance measures to be employed are related to the capacity of individuals to engage in meaningful work and recreational activities. Key indices of isometric, isotonic and isokinetic muscle function in upper and lower limbs will be assessed in detoxified (3-4 weeks) alcoholics and in a nonalcoholic comparison group paying particular attention to the relative impairment of different muscle fiber types. Pilot studies will yield information related to the relative contributions of neuropathy and muscle fiber impairment to performance measures. Finer aspects of motor performance (hands and arms) will be evaluated in tests that measure movement speed and accuracy. As such, the proposed study will represent the first comprehensive evaluation of functional motor/muscle variables related to speed, accuracy, strength, power and endurance in alcoholic subjects. The design of the study and the statistical analyses to be performed will allow for an estimation of alcohol-related effects independent of other """"""""lifestyle"""""""" variables (e.g. tobacco use, health, activity, nutrition) that are expected to differ in the alcoholic and comparison groups. Detailed histories of recent and past alcohol use in both """"""""alcoholic"""""""" and """"""""comparison"""""""" groups will allow for regression analyses comparing measures of alcohol consumption and alcohol impairment with muscular and psychomotor performance. The findings from this study will provide information essential to the formulation of specific recommendations regarding the rehabilitation of muscle function in persons recovering from alcohol dependency.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
3R01AA006867-03S1
Application #
3110274
Study Section
Biochemistry, Physiology and Medicine Subcommittee (ALCB)
Project Start
1987-04-01
Project End
1991-01-31
Budget Start
1990-04-01
Budget End
1991-01-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1990
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Research Institute on Addictions
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Buffalo
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
14203
York, J L; Hirsch, J A; Pendergast, D R et al. (1999) Muscle performance in detoxified alcoholics. J Stud Alcohol 60:413-21
York, J L (1999) Clinical significance of alcohol intake parameters at initiation of drinking. Alcohol 19:97-9
York, J L (1998) The drinking day as a unit of exposure in the epidemiology of alcohol-related medical disorders. Alcohol 16:231-6
Vernon, C E; Hirsch, J A; Bishop, B et al. (1995) Depression of an inhibitory reflex, the masseteric silent period, in recovering alcoholics. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 19:527-32
York, J L (1994) Influence of self-titration on the relationship between ethanol dose and chronic tissue toxicities: theoretical considerations. Alcohol 11:219-23
Hirsch, J A; Bishop, B; York, J L (1993) Recovery of respiratory sinus arrhythmia in detoxified alcoholic subjects. J Appl Physiol 74:1816-23
York, J L; Biederman, I (1991) Hand movement speed and accuracy in detoxified alcoholics. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 15:982-90
York, J L; Pendergast, D E (1990) Body composition in detoxified alcoholics. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 14:180-3
Pendergast, D R; York, J L; Fisher, N M (1990) A survey of muscle function in detoxified alcoholics. Alcohol 7:361-6