M.A. (Psychology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Tech. / Alcohol intoxication is often linked to crime, motor vehicle accidents, violence and acts of aggression. There is currently no reversal agent or antidote available for alcohol intoxication. A study conducted by the University of Johannesburg, reports positive results when using Chelidonium 3cH and 30cH to reduce breath alcohol levels. Homeopathy is a therapeutic system based primarily on the Law of Similars. The drug picture of Chelidonium majus is well matched to the symptom picture of acute alcohol intoxication and is thus a well-indicated remedy to treat the symptoms of this condition. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of the homeopathic preparations Chelidonium majus 3cH and 30cH to reduce breath alcohol levels when compared to a placebo. This was a double blind, placebo controlled study. The sample groups were recruited using advertisements at the University of Johannesburg Doornfontein Campus and surrounding areas and consisted of thirty male participants between 20 and 45 years of age. Participants were required to attend three experimental sessions. The researcher completed a selection form to exclude interested parties with abnormal vital sign readings, diabetes, drug or alcohol addiction, history of cerebrovascular accident (stroke), diagnosed hypotension or hypertension, diagnosed hyperlipidaemia, liver or gallbladder disease, recent head trauma, taking any medication contra-indicating alcohol ingestion or history of chronic cardiac or renal disease. The Widmark formula was used to determine the exact amount of 43% brandy, diluted with cola drink to obtain a 20% volume-to-volume dilution. These calculations were done according to the weight of each participant to ensure that their breath alcohol concentrations were increased to the legal limit of 0.08 mg/dL. In the first session, the participants only consumed the alcohol to establish a baseline reading for their breath alcohol levels. During session two participants in the experimental group received a single powder medicated with Chelidonium majus 3cH. Participants in the placebo group received an unmedicated powder. During session three participants in the experimental group received a single powder medicated with Chelidonium majus 30cH. Participants in the placebo group received an unmedicated powder. During each session breath alcohol measurements were taken and recorded at twenty minutes, forty minutes, sixty minutes and eighty minutes after the initial alcoholic beverage has been ingested. The breath alcohol readings were statistically analysed and compared by Ms. Riette Eiselen, Head: Statistical Consultation Services (STATKOM), University of Johannesburg. Independent sample t-tests and a Mann-Whitney test were used to determine if there was any significant difference between the median breath alcohol reductions of the experimental and the control group. These tests indicated that there was no significant difference between the median breath alcohol reductions of the experimental and the control group on any variable at any point in time for any one of the sessions. A One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test was utilised to determine if there was any significant reduction in breath alcohol levels during the 3 sessions in both the experimental and control groups. The test revealed that both groups showed a significant decrease in breath alcohol concentrations but that there was no significant difference between the breath alcohol reductions between groups. Participation in the study was voluntary and withdrawal or refusal to continue was allowed at any time. Participants had the option to remain anonymous. Since Chelidonium majus 3cH and 30cH are rarely associated with side effects, the risk factors for participants in the study were minimal and no adverse effects were anticipated. In the event of an emergency, medical personnel were on standby. Participants were requested not to leave the venue until breathalyzer tests revealed a breath alcohol concentration of 0.01 g/dL. The results of the study were made available to the participants on request.

M.A. (Clinical Psychology) / The present study investigated the effect of expectancy and alcohol consumption on the assertive behaviour of female social drinkers, utilising a balanced-placebo design (Marlatt, Demming & Reid, 1973). Using the College Self Expression Scale (CSES) (Galassi et al, 1974) as the self report measure of assertiveness, and the Behavioral Assertiveness Test-Revised (Eisler et al. 1975) as the behavioural measure of assertiveness, analyses of variance were computed on the test results. Significant differences emerged on sub-scale positive assertiveness in both t he self report and behavioural measures...

Thermoregulation after acute ethanol, during chronic exposure and during withdrawal from ethanol dependency was studied using genetically heterogeneous (HS) mice, and lines of mice selected in replicate for smaller (HOT1, HOT2) or greater (COLD1, COLD2) decline in rectal temperature (Tre ) after intraperitoneal ethanol. First, HS mice were injected with 20% ethanol in 0.9% NaCI, or NaCI alone during sessions of behavioral thermoregulation in individual temperature gradients (9-38°C). Internal temperature (Tj ) was monitored with implanted telemetry devices. An imaging system recorded selected temperature (Tsel ) within the gradient every 5 sec. Acute 2.25 and 2.60 g ethanol/kg produced significantly lower Tj than NaCI. 2.60 g/kg also produced significantly lower Tsel than 2.25 g/kg or NaCI. 2.75 g/kg and above incapacitated mice. Comparison of responses using a thermoregulatory index indicated 2.25 or 2.60 g/kg decreased the regulated temperature. Similar methodology was followed using the selected lines and 10% ethanol (2.0, 2.25, 2.65 g/kg to COLD mice; 2.65, 2.85 g/kg to HOT mice; 3.0 g/kg to HOT2 mice) or NaCI. All responded similarly to NaCl, with transient rise in Tj After an effective ethanol dose mice manifested a regulated decrease in Tj by lowering Tsel concomitant with falling Tj . In both replicate pairs COLD mice were more sensitive than HOT, indicating that a true difference in the CNS regulator of body temperature was selected for in these animals. Photoperiod effect was characterized by quantifying thermoregulatory behavior of COLD2 mice after acute 2.60 g 7.5% ethanol/kg or NaCl, at 0400 , 0800 , 1200, 1600 , 2000 and 2400 hours , using above methodology. Baseline T₁ was significantly lower during hours of light, than during darkness. Photoperiod had little effect on thermoregulatory response to ethanol, possibly because of arousal associated with experiments. Thermoregulatory tolerance to ethanol was investigated using HS mice implanted with telemetry devices and monitored in the gradient on days 1, 2, 4, 7 and 11 of 11 consecutive days of 10% ethanol (2.75 g/kg) or NaCl injections. Dispositional, rapid and chronic tolerance developed, indicating that functional tolerance is a regulated phenomenon in mice. In a separate experiment HS mice were implanted with telemetry devices and injected with ethanol for 11 consecutive days at constant temperature; dispositional but not functional tolerance developed. To characterize thermoregulation during withdrawal, HS mice were made dependent upon ethanol using a vapor chamber; T; Tsel and activity were monitored in the gradient until 26 hours post withdrawal. Withdrawing mice showed unaltered regulated temperature, but lower Tsel than controls. This suggested increased metabolic heat production. Thermoregulation during withdrawal was similarly studied using the selected mouse lines. COLD mice responded like HS mice. Withdrawing HOT1 mice were more active than controls; withdrawing HOT2 mice showed lowest Tsel of any genotype but maintained Ti above controls. These results suggest a more severe withdrawal reaction in HOT, than in COLD mice. To investigate a possible mechanism underlying ethanol hypothermia, responses of HOT and COLD mice to intracerebroventricular serotonin were characterized. Dose-dependent decreases in Tre were measured in mice equipped with indwelling brain cannulae and held at constant temperature after injection of 0.3, 0.8, 2.0, 5.0 or 11.0 μg serotonin into the lateral brain ventricle. COLD mice were significantly more sensitive than HOT mice. Subsequently HOT1 and COLD1 mice were equipped with brain cannulae and implanted telemetry devices; thermoregulatory behavior after 11.0 μg serotonin was monitored. Both genotypes lowered Tj significantly more in the gradient than did similar mice at constant ambient temperature, indicating that decline in Tj after serotonin was a regulated phenomenon. The serotonergic system was altered during selection for differential Tre response to ethanol, indicating a role for serotonin in mediating ethanol hypothermia.

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Eight male subjects searched for target alphanumeric characters using a touch-input equipped CRT under four levels of blood alcohol concentration (BAC), 0.0, 0.05, 0.07, and 0.09 percent. Participants visually searched randomly generated 108-character arrays for imbedded target characters, touching the CRT surface at target locations when located. Half of the search trials used arrays containing no target, providing the opportunity for "giving up" any search trial at the discretion of the participant. A monetary incentive/penalty system was used to define low- and high-criticality search trials. Search time, touch accuracy, the number of trials completed, percent "give-ups," and hand travel time were all significantly degraded by the alcohol dosages used. An alcohol-by-criticality interaction was observed for percent give-ups, and an alcohol-by-target presence interaction was observed for mean search times. Changes in search time due to alcohol were observed only for trials containing no target. / M.S.