Markers of Cerebral Lateralization and Alcoholism

Abstract

We assessed markers of anomalous cerebral dominance in 70 problem drinkers at risk for alcoholism, 43 alcoholics who had been sober for at least six months, and 311 healthy control subjects age-matched to the problem drinkers. Markers of anomalous cerebral dominance included left-handedness, learning disabilities, neuro-immune disorders, and special cognitive talents. We also administered a “drinking inventory” to assess frequency and severity of drinking patterns for self and family. Analysis showed elevated rates of left-handedness and learning disabilities in the alcoholic group and in the “at risk” problem drinkers. These same subjects rated themselves and their families as relatively poor at left-hemisphere-mediated cognitive talents. Alcoholic women evidenced significantly greater incidence of immune disorders than alcoholic men. Alcoholism appears to be related to biological factors which have been associated with anomalous cerebral dominance.