It is now well known that unaffected first-degree relatives of patients with alcohol disorder have electrophysiological abnormalities (less P3 amplitude). These abnormalities are associated with higher scores in impulsivity self-rating scales and are assumed to reflect central nervous system disinhibition and/or hyperexcitability. However very much less is known about the performance of this population in neuropsychological tests assessing executive functioning and in particular the inhibition process.

Thirty-five first-degree relatives of patients with alcohol dependence were compared to thirty-five healthy controls, matched in terms of age, gender and education level. They completed a self-rating scale of impulsiveness (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale) and a battery of neuropsychological tests. The test battery included the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, a measure of overall executive functioning, and two performance measures of inhibition process (a Stroop task and a Go-No Go task).

As expected, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale showed differences between the two groups, with first-degree relatives having higher overall scores and increased scores in the non-planning subscale. Results from neuropsychological testing indicated significant differences among the three tasks (WCST, Stroop task and Go-No Go).

Our findings are consistent with the view that unaffected first-degree relatives of patients with alcohol dependence show decrements in executive functioning and inhibition process. Studies are underway to identify genes associated with the underlying predisposition involved in disinhibitory disorders in this population.