Alcohol impairs learning and timing of conditioned eyeblink responses

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Alcohol impairs motor performance, but it remains unclear precisely why this is the case. Here, we examine the effects of alcohol intoxication on conditioned eyeblink responses, a form of classical conditioning dependent on the cerebellum. In experiment 1, the conditioned responses of 18 students before and after alcohol consumption up to 1 ‰ were compared against the performance of 26 non-drinking controls. In experiment 2, 17 students were tested repeatedly at increasing blood alcohol levels up to 1 ‰. The results reveal a gradual decrease in both the percentage and timing of conditioned responses following alcohol consumption, with pronounced impairments emerging at blood alcohol content levels exceeding 0.5 ‰. These findings are consistent with the idea that the motor deficits associated with alcohol consumption are linked to effects on the cerebellum.

Source: Brain Research

DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2025.149545

Authors: Fredrik Johansson, Vincent Rydberg, Nils-Erik Arn, Johannes Lundin, Artem Gornov, Robert Winton, Guy Madison, Germund Hesslow, Anders Rasmussen

Institutions: Lund University, Umeå University

Language: English

Topic: Motor Control and Adaptation

Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,360

Funders: Åke Wiberg Stiftelse, Petrus och Augusta Hedlunds Stiftelse, Gyllenstiernska Krapperupsstiftelsen, Crafoordska Stiftelsen, Fredrik och Ingrid Thurings Stiftelse, Hjärnfonden, Vetenskapsrådet, Kungliga Fysiografiska Sällskapet i Lund, Magnus Bergvalls Stiftelse, Thorsten och Elsa Segerfalks Stiftelse, Sten K Johnsons stiftelse

OpenAlex ID: W4408028397