John W. Rohrbaugh, Ph.D.

DEPARTMENT OF Psychiatry
Keywords: alcoholism, cognition, nicotine, posture

The consumption, and often abuse, of alcohol is frequently accompanied by cigarette smoking. Ninety percent of alcoholics also smoke cigarettes in comparison to about 30% of the general population. It has been proposed that smoking could, by providing the stimulating effects of nicotine, offset the depressant effects of alcohol. Such a proposal is consistent with animal studies which have indicated that cross-tolerance exists between tobacco and alcohol so that nicotine consumption may diminish sensitivity to the acute intoxicating effects of alcohol (on some measures). It has been hypothesized that the reduced sensitivity to alcohol could lead, in turn, to increased consumption and risk of addiction. This research represents an effort to systematically examine the acute effects of moderate doses of alcohol and cigarette smoke alone and in combination, on postural control, oculomotor control, cognitive functioning, and subjective reactions.

Although it has been established that the offspring of alcoholics are themselves at increased risk for alcoholism, there is an absence of accepted markers of that risk. We are investigating the hypothesis that a measure of postural steadiness offers a marker, and in addition, the specific effects of acute and chronic alcohol consumption on balance mechanisms will be examined. The results will yield evidence regarding the specific mechanisms involved in the control of balance and the effects associated with alcohol.

We are also currently pursuing research to determine physiological signs of fatigue and genetic influences on nicotine dependence.