Alcohol and Memory: Amnesia and Short-Term Memory Function During Experimentally Induced Intoxication

This study represents the first attempt to examine the alcoholic blackout during a sustained period of experimental intoxication. Thirteen male alcoholics with histories of blackouts drank large amounts of beverage alcohol for 12 to 14 days. Daily assessments of short-term memory and 24-hour recall were made. Short-term memory was significantly and progressively impaired with increasing levels of intoxication. Impairment of 24-hour recall was also related to level of intoxication on the preceding day. Blackouts occurred, particularly among subjects with impaired short-term memory function. Conversely, subjects with intact short-term memory had normal 24-hour recall.