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. This research is investigating the hypothesis that a measure of postural steadine ss offers a marker, and in addition, the specific effects of acute and chronic alcohol consumption on balance mechanisms will be examined. Postural control is being studied using a dynamic posturography instrument (EquiTest, NeuroCom Int.) which provides for systematic challenges to balance. This instrument offers significant advantages over the methods that have been used in prior studies, which have consisted of measures of static ataxia rather than dynamic balance control mechanisms. The EquiTest in strument measures the contributions of the visual, proprioceptive and vestibular systems to balance, and also measures motor righting responses elicited by perturbations of the platform surface. Convergent information regarding vestibular function is bei ng obtained from measures of oculomotor function, including positional nystagmus and pursuit movements. Postural control and eye movements are being studied in four experiments involving different groups of subjects. Experiment 1 will study preadolescent children of both sexes, with subject groups stratified according to familial density of alcoholism (and presumed accompanying risk). It is hypothesized that the children of alcoholics will show balance impairments, due in part to an over-reliance on vis ual sensations, and that these impairments will be in proportion to the familial density of alcoholism. Experiment 2 will investigate the dose-related effects of acute alcohol on posturographic measures, in young adult social drinkers. Experiment 3 will investigate the effects of challenge doses in groups of nonalcoholic male and female subjects formed on the basis of familial density of alcoholism and current levels of consumption. It is hypothesized that alcohol will exacerbate existing balance defic its in the offspring of alcoholics. Experiment 4 will study abstinent male and female chronic alcoholics, as a function of familial history, and age-matched control subjects. It is hypothesized that the postural control abilities of alcoholics will refl ect the combined effects of familial and consumption histories. In all experiments the measures will yield evidence regarding the specific mechanisms involved in the control of balance and the effects associated with alcohol.
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