The impact of Severe Alcohol Use Disorder on low-level visuo-perceptive processing

Details

Supervisors

Maurage, Pierre ; Creupelandt, Coralie

Faculty

Faculté de psychologie, logopédie, sexologie et des sciences de la famille

Degree label

Master [120] en sciences psychologiques

Abstract

Theoretical Part. Emotional and cognitive impairments in people with SAUD have been rigorously explored. In comparison, impairments on a visuo-perceptive level have only scarcely been examined. However, some studies suggest a deficit in specific aspects of the visuo-perceptive process (Sullivan et al., 1992). Most of these aspects, such as the visuospatial processing, are commonly linked to the magnocellular pathway, which is one of two major neurological visual streams, responsible for different aspects of the visuo-perceptive processing of a stimulus. The other one being the parvocellular pathway. Methodology. In our study, we tried to compare the performances of these two pathways between a group of people with SAUD and a control group (consuming very little amounts of alcohol). In order to measure the two pathways separately, we created a computerized task, evaluating the participants contrast thresholds. This task was divided into two parts, respectively stimulating and measuring one of the two pathways. The task was inspired by Pokorny and Smith (1997). Results. The results we obtained did not confirm earlier findings, that suggested an impairment of the magnocellular pathways in people with SAUD. However, our results indicated an impairment of the parvocellular pathways in people with SAUD. This finding may stimulate further experimenting in this direction. Discussion. Methodological issues, the limitations of our study, as well as potential future experimental options for this field are presented.