饮酒对于人的记忆的影响是什么呢？英国一项最新研究说，与其他人相比，那些在灾难前中度饮酒的人，也就是“喝得正好”的人，对于灾难会有更多强迫性回忆。
英国伦敦大学学院等机构的研究人员在最新一期《生物精神病学》（Biological Psychiatry）杂志上报告说，约50名志愿者参加了这项心理学试验。志愿者饮酒后，以观看影片等方式经历了车祸等灾难性事件。在随后的一个星期中，志愿者记录并报告了不由自主想起相关灾难的次数。结果显示，与没有饮酒或大量饮酒的人相比，中度饮酒的人会有更多的强迫性回忆。
领导研究的詹姆斯比斯比说，这可能是因为人的大脑对一个事件有两种记忆，一种与自身感受有关，另一种与事件环境有关。那些在灾难性事件前中度饮酒的人，与环境有关的记忆受到酒精影响而变得不清晰，因此与自身感受有关的记忆被相对放大，导致更多的强迫性回忆。那些在灾难前大量饮酒的人，两种记忆都受到影响，记不起太多当时的情节。完全清醒的人则存有两种记忆，可以互相平衡。
比斯比表示，这是首次揭示酒精在灾难后心理障碍中所起的作用，它将有助于灾后心理康复方面的研究。研究人员还提醒说，这项结果并不意味着灾难前大量饮酒者的心理问题更小，因为过量饮酒可能会诱发其他严重心理问题。
生物谷推荐原始出处：
Biological Psychiatry doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2010.01.010
Acute Effects of Alcohol on Intrusive Memory Development and Viewpoint Dependence in Spatial Memory Support a Dual Representation Model
James A. Bisbya, , , John A. Kingb, Chris R. Brewinb, Neil Burgessc, d and H. Valerie Currana
a Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, University College London, United Kingdom
b Research Department of Clinical, Education and Health Psychology, University College London, United Kingdom
c Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, United Kingdom
d UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, United Kingdom
Background
A dual representation model of intrusive memory proposes that personally experienced events give rise to two types of representation: an image-based, egocentric representation based on sensory-perceptual features; and a more abstract, allocentric representation that incorporates spatiotemporal context. The model proposes that intrusions reflect involuntary reactivation of egocentric representations in the absence of a corresponding allocentric representation. We tested the model by investigating the effect of alcohol on intrusive memories and, concurrently, on egocentric and allocentric spatial memory.
Methods
With a double-blind independent group design participants were administered alcohol (.4 or .8 g/kg) or placebo. A virtual environment was used to present objects and test recognition memory from the same viewpoint as presentation (tapping egocentric memory) or a shifted viewpoint (tapping allocentric memory). Participants were also exposed to a trauma video and required to detail intrusive memories for 7 days, after which explicit memory was assessed.
Results
There was a selective impairment of shifted-view recognition after the low dose of alcohol, whereas the high dose induced a global impairment in same-view and shifted-view conditions. Alcohol showed a dose-dependent inverted ”U”-shaped effect on intrusions, with only the low dose increasing the number of intrusions, replicating previous work. When same-view recognition was intact, decrements in shifted-view recognition were associated with increases in intrusions.
Conclusions
The differential effect of alcohol on intrusive memories and on same/shifted-view recognition support a dual representation model in which intrusions might reflect an imbalance between two types of memory representation. These findings highlight important clinical implications, given alcohol's involvement in real-life trauma.
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