Indian J. Psyehiat. (1983), 25(3), 243—245 A REPORT OF SUBCLINICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL DETERIORATION (A TYPE OF ALCOHOLIC DEMENTIA) K . S . MOHAN,1 M.B.B.S. N . PRADHAN,2 M . D . S.M. CHANNABASAVANNA,' D . P . M . . M . D . SUMMARY Alcoholics could present with various degrees of deterioration of cognitive functioning. The sub­ clinical psychological deterioration had been one of the least recognized entities. This condition could be reversed or atleast arrested with treatment. The application of the term alcoholic dementia happened to be a misnomer for the clinical entity. A case of subclinical psychological deterioration that improved with treatment has been described here. In the recent past the description of cognitive deficits in chronic alcoholics had led to a revision of the concept of alcoho­ lic dementia. There had been a general tendency to label any demented alcoholic as suffering from Korsakoff's psychosis (Horvath, 1975). Of late, it had been realized that the psychological deteriora­ tion in chronic alcoholics is understan­ dable in quantitative rather than qualita­ tive terms (Gutting, 1978). And the mag­ nitude of impairment had been related to the length of the drinking history (Jones & Parsons, 1971; Tarter, 1973). The 'subclinical' psychological deterioration' chracterised by the deficits in certain sphe­ res of intellect other than memory had been presumed/to be insidious in onset with a favourable outcome to treatment by thiamine. The present report would be the first of its kind from India. CASE R E P O R T Mr. G. G., a 42 years old School Teacher coming from a high socio-eco­ nomic background was admitted to NIM- HANS on 8.11.1982 for being abusive and assaultive on an intoxication of five years duration and excessive drinking for 11 years. There was no family history of psychiatric disorders. He is married 1. Resident in Psychiatry, 2. Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, 3. Professor and Head, for past 10 years and had one son. The interpersonal relationship with wife had been disturbed because of his alcoholism. Initially he started drinking as a social drinker 17 years ago, consuming about 150-250 ml. of whisky almost every evening. After marriage his wife desired that he should discontinue drinking, which led to quarrels at home. Subsequently he increased his consumption of alcohol to 600 ml. of whisky per day. In a course of five years he had gradually increased con­ sumption to 1200 ml. of whisky per day. In a state of intoxication he would quarrel with his wife and on occasions, would physically assault her. Otherwise he maintained cordial relationships with others. There was no history of blackouts, convulsions, and other withdrawal featu­ res. The mental status examination at the time of admission did not show any- features suggestive of psychoses or neuro­ ses. His cognitive functions such as atten­ tion, concentration and memory were intact but he failed to perform simple calculations. He did not exhibit any other evidence of dysphasias agnosias, and apraxias. There was impairment of abs­ tract thinking. He was motivated to give up drinking. Hence he was admitted. Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences, Bangalore-560 029.