Pharmacological correction of memory impairment in alcoholics: analysis of results using a new mathematical model

Abstract

The main goal of the current research was to assess memory impairment via learning curves and its restoration during the process of rehabilitative treatment of alcoholic patients with pharmacological correction. We applied a mathematical model Y = B3xexp(-B2x(X-1 ))+B4x(1 -exp(-B2x(X-1 ))), where X is the trial number; Y is the number of recalled correct words, B2 is the learning rate, B3 is readiness to learn and B4 is ability to learn. Readiness to learn and ability to learn were significantly below normal values in alcoholic patients in comparison with healthy participants. Treatment with nootropil together with vitamins returned readiness to learn up to normal values. Readiness and ability to learn in patients treated with nootropil itself or bemethyl (metaprot) was initially high so that both drugs did not exert any effect. Use of 10 words in a list of Luria's memory test is insufficient for exact assessment of the long-term memory, so that the list should be increased up to 16 words.

Keywords

memory / learning curve / mathematical model / nootropics / alcoholics

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RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Sapronov N.S., Stepanov I.I., Losev N.A., Shabanov P.D.