OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship of serum markers of glial and neuronal degeneration with neuropsychological tests reflecting various cognitive domains of executive functions in patients with alcohol use disorders (AUDs).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 74 men participated in the study, including 30 healthy volunteers and 44 patients with AUDs. The study of executive functioning was carried out using Go/No-Go, Corsi and Color Stroop tests. Concentrations of calcium–binding protein (S100B), myelin basic protein (MBP) and glial fibrillar acid protein (GFAP) «Sandwich» were determined in the blood serum of patients and control groups by solid–phase enzyme immunoassay.

RESULTS

The levels of S100B and MBP in patients with AUDs were significantly higher than the control values (U=194.5; p=0.002 and U=198.5; p=0.003), whereas the content of GFAP in patients did not significantly exceed the control values (U=287; p=0.181). Patients with AUDs performed worse on the Go/No-Go task (U=133; p=0.002), the Corsi test (U=133.5; p=0.003) and the Color Stroop test (U=60; p<0.001) compared to controls. Significant Spearman’s correlations were found between the concentration of S100B and the number of errors in the Go/No-Go task (R=0.537; p=0.004), as well as the duration of alcohol dependence (R=0.321; p=0.021). The MBP content in blood serum was directly correlated with the number of errors in the Go/No-Go task (R=0.654; p<0.001) and inversely with spatial working memory in the Corsi test (R=–0.588; p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The serum levels of S100B and MBP correlate with various domains of executive functions (inhibitory control and spatial working memory) in patients with AUDs. It is assumed that these biomarkers can potentially be used as markers of progression, tracking subtle cognitive changes among patients with AUDs.