Recent Alcohol Intake and Suicidality – a Neuropsychological Perspective

In this paper, the authors review the observational & experimental evidence for the acute neuropsychological effects of alcohol intake on suicide ideation & behaviour. A selective review of the literature was conducted using the PubMed database. Cognitive mechanisms implicated include alcohol-induced deficits in attention allocation, prospective cognition, autobiographical memory, & disinhibition. Emotional mechanisms include alcohol-induced dysphoria, depression, & aggression. (32 refs.)