Relationship of age and simulated flight performance.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between age and aviator performance on a flight simulator. DESIGN: A cross-sectional observational study. PARTICIPANTS: The sample consisted of 100 aviators aged 50 to 69 (mean = 58). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pilots were tested on a Frasca 141 flight simulator (Urbana, IL), linked to a UNIX-based IRIS 4D computer (Silicon Graphics, Mountain View, CA), which both generated graphics of the environment in which the pilots flew and collected data concerning the aircraft's flight conditions. RESULTS: We found that increased age was significantly associated with decreased aviator performance on a flight simulator. CONCLUSIONS: Although there was a significant relationship between increased age and decreased aviator performance, age explained 22% or less of the variance of performance on different flight tasks; hence, other factors are also important in explaining the performance of older pilots.     

卒中后认知功能障碍的转归及其影响因素

卒中后认知功能损害是脑卒中常见的并发症,其发病率为21．8％-50．O％。卒中后认知功能损害不仅影响患者的生存质量,也给家庭和社会带来负担。但是在度过急性期后,卒中后发生认知功能损害的患者也出现了不同的转归。年龄比较小、卒中前认知功能状态良好的患者相对容易出现认知功能的好转,但是年龄偏大、卒中前认知状况差、文化程度低、血压控制偏低、脑白质变性程度较重、合并糖尿病的患者即使度过了卒中急性期仍易出现认知功能的进一步恶化。而性别,卒中部位,卒中常见的危险因素,如高血压、高血脂、心脏病病史、饮酒史等,对卒中后认知功能障碍的临床转归产生的影响有待于进一步证实。     

Responses by Sons of Alcoholic Fathers to Alcoholic and Placebo Drinks: Perceived Mood, Intoxication, and Plasma Prolactin

Young adult sons of alcoholic fathers (HR) were compared with matched young men from families without alcoholic relatives (LR) with respect to perceived mood, perceived intoxication, and plasma prolactin responses to oral challenge with two doses of alcohol and a placebo drink. HR subjects were found to have a qualitatively and quantitatively different mood response than controls to all three beverage conditions. HR subjects endorsed greater tension, depression, and fatigue across beverage conditions independent of alcohol dose. Alcohol dose interacted with risk status for perceived anger, vigor, and confusion. HR subjects reported less perceived intoxication on the descending limb of the alcohol concentration-time curve across all three conditions. These differential responses could not be explained by the occurrence of personality subtypes determined through administration of the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire. A significantly reduced prolactin response to alcohol in HR subjects could not be confirmed. Perceived mood effects of alcohol could have etiological significance in the development of alcoholism among HR individuals.     

Alcohol affects executive cognitive functioning differentially on the ascending versus descending limb of the blood alcohol concentration curve

BACKGROUND: Executive cognitive functioning (ECF), a construct that includes cognitive abilities such as planning, abstract reasoning, and the capacity to govern self-directed behavior, has been recently researched as an antecedent to many forms of psychopathology and has been implicated in alcohol-related aggression. This study was designed to examine whether differential ECF impairments can be noted on the ascending versus the descending limbs of the blood alcohol concentration curve. METHODS: Forty-one male university students participated in this study. Twenty-one subjects were given 1.32 ml of 95% alcohol per kilogram of body weight, mixed with orange juice, and the remaining 20 were given a placebo. Participants were randomly assigned to either an ascending or descending blood alcohol group and were tested on six tests of ECF on their assigned limb. Subjective mood data were also collected. RESULTS: Intoxicated participants on both limbs demonstrated ECF impairment; the descending-limb group showed greater impairment than their ascending-limb counterparts. Intoxicated subjects were significantly more anxious at baseline than placebo subjects. The introduction of this covariate nullified any significant differences in subjective mood found on either limb of the blood alcohol concentration curve, but ECF impairments remained robust. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the conclusion that alcohol negatively affects cognitive performance and has a differential effect on the descending versus the ascending limb of the blood alcohol concentration curve. The latter finding may have important ramifications relating to the detrimental consequences of alcohol intoxication.     

Effects of naltrexone during the descending limb of the blood alcohol curve

The neuropharmacological effects of alcohol are known to vary by limb of the blood alcohol curve, yet human laboratory studies of alcoholism pharmacotherapies have largely failed to consider limb of intoxication when examining medication effects on subjective responses to alcohol. This study examined the effects of naltrexone compared to placebo on subjective responses to alcohol at the descending limb of the blood alcohol curve following a controlled intravenous (IV) alcohol administration. Non-treatment-seeking hazardous drinkers (n = 38) completed two double-blind counterbalanced IV alcohol challenge sessions, one after taking naltrexone (50 mg) for three days and one after taking a placebo for three days. During each session, participants reported on subjective responses to alcohol during the descending limb of the blood alcohol curve. Analyses revealed significant main effects of naltrexone, reflecting significantly decreased alcohol-induced stimulation, craving, vigor, positive mood, and alcohol "high" and increased tension as compared to placebo. These findings suggest that naltrexone may exert some of its therapeutic effects via alterations to experiential aspects of intoxication during the descending limb of alcohol intoxication. Additionally, these results highlight the potential utility of considering limb of blood alcohol curve when examining the mechanisms of action of pharmacotherapies thought to alter subjective responses to alcohol.     

Cognitive and Electrophysiologic Parameters during Ascending and Descending Limbs of the Blood Alcohol Curve

This study examined the effects of acute alcohol ingestion and prior success or failure upon cognitive performance of 40 healthy, nonalcoholic subjects, during both the ascending and descending limbs of the blood alcohol curve. Measures of physiological arousal were made with frontal/laryngeal electromyographic and skin conductance response level parameters. Major findings were: (1) cognitive performance was impaired by alcohol ingestion; (2) autonomic arousal was significantly greater after alcohol than after placebo; (3) number and amplitude of skin response were greater on the ascending than on the descending limb; (4) the anticipated effects of failure on cognitive performance were ameliorated by alcohol; and (5) differential effects of alcohol on the psychophysiological parameters were demonstrated.     

Reinforcing mood effects of alcohol in coping and enhancement motivated drinkers

BACKGROUND: People may be motivated to drink because of differential sensitivities to the rewarding outcomes of alcohol consumption. Previous research has demonstrated that alcohol may produce both potentially positive reinforcing effects (i.e., increased elation; Conrad et al., 2001) and potentially negative reinforcing effects (i.e., anxiolytic effects; Levenson st al., 1980). It was desired to test the effects of alcohol on mood in a sample of two groups of drinkers that report different motivations for alcohol use. It was hypothesized that both potentially positive and negative reinforcing mood effects would be observed and that these effects would be moderated by drinking motive. METHODS: Twenty-four drinkers with Coping Motives (CMs) and 24 drinkers with Enhancement Motives (EMs) were randomly assigned to either an alcohol condition (target blood alcohol level of 0.08%) or a placebo condition. Participants used the Profile of Mood States-Bipolar (Lorr, 1983) to report their mood at (1) sober baseline, (2) after beverage consumption, and (3) during anticipation of a self-disclosing speech (a stressor). RESULTS: As hypothesized, after drinking, those in the alcohol group reported increased feelings of elation and energy relative to sober baseline. Those receiving alcohol also reported feeling more confused and anxious after beverage consumption. Also as hypothesized, participants receiving alcohol reported feeling increased sedation during anticipation of the stressor, whereas those receiving placebo reported increased energy during this period. Contrary to the hypothesis, none of these effects were moderated by drinking motive. CONCLUSIONS: Although potentially positive and negative reinforcing mood effects of alcohol were observed, CM and EM drinkers were not differentially sensitive to these effects. However, it is possible that EM drinkers may highly value the baseline stimulating effects of alcohol, whereas CM drinkers may highly value the anxiolytic effects that were observed during anticipation of the stressor.     

Mecamylamine modifies the pharmacokinetics and reinforcing effects of alcohol

BACKGROUND: Central nicotinic cholinergic receptors modify alcohol-induced mesolimbic dopamine activation, which seems to be important in the reinforcing properties of alcohol. Consistent with this model, acute administration to rats of the tertiary nicotinic receptor antagonist mecamylamine blocks both alcohol consumption and alcohol-induced dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that, during the ascending limb of the blood alcohol concentration curve, mecamylamine would reduce the stimulating and pleasurable effects of an intoxicating dose of alcohol in humans. METHODS: Ten female and 10 male volunteers with no history of alcohol or substance use disorders, including nicotine dependence, completed the study. During two laboratory sessions, subjects consumed three aliquots of an alcohol-containing drink, with a total ethanol content of 0.7 g/kg (in women) or 0.8 g/kg (in men), over a 30-min period. Two hours before the first drink, subjects were pretreated with mecamylamine or placebo, with the order of sessions counterbalanced. Primary outcome measures included the Drug Effect Questionnaire, the central stimulation subscale of the Alcohol Sensation Scale, and the stimulant subscale of the Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale. Breath alcohol level (BAL) was examined to identify the ascending and descending limbs of the blood alcohol curve and to assess pharmacokinetic interactions between alcohol and mecamylamine. RESULTS: Significant effects of time, study drug, and their interaction were observed. Compared with placebo, mecamylamine reduced BAL. After controlling for BAL at each time point, mecamylamine also reduced the Drug Effect Questionnaire and Alcohol Sensation Scale stimulant subscale scores, with a trend for a similar effect on the Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale score. CONCLUSIONS: Mecamylamine seems to modify both the pharmacokinetic profile of alcohol and the rewarding effects of alcohol in healthy volunteers.     

Acute mood but not cognitive improvements following administration of a single multivitamin and mineral supplement in healthy women aged 50 and above: a randomised controlled trial

A number of randomised controlled trials have indicated that multivitamin/mineral supplementation for a period of 4 weeks or greater can enhance mood and cognition. To date, no studies have investigated whether a single multivitamin dose can benefit mental function in older adults. This study investigated the acute effects of a single multivitamin and mineral and herbal (MVMH) supplement versus placebo on self ratings of mood and the performance of an effortful computerised cognitive battery in a sample of 76 healthy women aged 50–75 years. Mood was assessed using the depression anxiety stress scale (DASS), state trait anxiety inventory–state anxiety scale and visual analogue scales (VAS). Mood was rated at 1 h post supplementation and again after the competition of the cognitive assessments at 2 h post supplementation. It was demonstrated that the MVMH supplement improved overall DASS mood ratings; however, the most prominent effects appeared to be a reduction in ratings of perceived mental stress. These findings were confirmed using visual analogue scales, with these measures also demonstrating MVMH-related increased ratings of calmness. There were no benefits of the MVMH to mood ratings of depression and performance was not enhanced on the cognitive battery. Supplementation with a single multivitamin, mineral and herbal supplement reduces stress several hours after intake in healthy older people.     

Binge drinking, cognitive performance and mood in a population of young social drinkers

BACKGROUND: Binge drinking may lead to brain damage and have implications for the development of alcohol dependence. The aims of the present study were to determine individual characteristics as well as to compare mood states and cognitive function between binge and nonbinge drinkers and thus further validate the new tool used to identify these populations among social drinkers. METHODS: The lowest and the highest 33.3% from a database of 245 social drinkers' binge scores derived from the Alcohol Use Questionnaire (AUQ) were used as cutoff points to identify nonbinge drinkers and binge drinkers in a further population of 100 young healthy volunteers. Personality characteristics, expectations of the effects of alcohol and current mood were evaluated. Cognitive performance was tested with a Matching to Sample Visual Search task (MTS) and a Spatial Working Memory task (SWM) both from the CANTAB battery, and a Vigilance task from the Gordon Diagnostic System. RESULTS: The binge drinkers had less positive mood than the nonbinge drinkers. In the MTS choice time on an 8-pattern condition and movement time on an 8- and 4-pattern condition was found to be faster in the binge drinkers compared to nonbinge drinkers. A gender by binge drinking interaction in the SWM and the Gordon Diagnostic System task revealed that female binge drinkers were worse on both these tasks than the female nonbinge drinkers. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm previous findings in binge drinkers and suggest that in a nondependent alcohol-drinking group, differences can be seen in mood and cognitive performance between those that binge drink and those that do not.     

Alcohol placebos: You can only fool some of the people all of the time

Some data from three studies of the acute psychological effects of alcohol are presented. After blind administration subjects could often tell that they had consumed alcohol, presumably because of its physiological effects. About 50% of subjects who received placebo alcohol felt slightly drunk and guessed that they had received alcohol. But, subjects who had actually received alcohol rated themselves as more drunk and were much more likely to guess that they had received alcohol. Subjects could also approximately estimate how much alcohol they had drunk. These findings suggest that the effects of unblinding should be considered when alcohol is administered in placebo designs. True blind placebo administration may only be possible when achieved BAL is <40 mg/100 ml.     

Acute hyperhomocysteinemia induces a reduction in arterial distensibility and compliance

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of acute hyperhomocysteinemia on distensibility and compliance of large peripheral arteries. Isoprostanes generation and antioxidant vitamins were used to assess the role of oxidative stress. DESIGN: A cross-over, double-blind study on distensibility (DC: distensibility coefficient) and compliance (CC: cross-sectional compliance) of common femoral and brachial arteries was performed in 12 healthy young male volunteers by means of a wall track system before and 4 h after a single oral methionine (100 mg/kg) or placebo administration. The effects of methionine load were investigated also after oral administration of vitamin C (1g/day) and vitamin E (800 mg/day) for 8 consecutive days. RESULTS: Oral methionine induced a significant increase in plasmatic levels of homocysteine. Distensibility and compliance of brachial and femoral arteries were significantly reduced after methionine load in comparison to placebo. This acute impairment of arterial wall mechanical properties was associated to endothelial dysfunction, since altered flow-dependent vasodilatation (P < 0.05 versus placebo) was observed in the same arterial districts. A significant increase in urinary 8-iso-prostaglandin F2alpha was observed after methionine. Pretreatment with vitamins C and E prevented the effects of methionine on femoral and brachial arteries as well as on urinary 8-iso-prostaglandin F2alpha excretion. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperhomocysteinemia seems responsible for altered arterial wall elasticity and for endothelial dysfunction. A pivotal role can be attributed to oxidative stress.     

Circadian urinary 6-sulphatoxymelatonin, cortisol excretion and locomotor activity in airline pilots during transmeridian flights

Airline pilots divided into two groups of age (over and under 50 years) were studied before, during and after westbound (Madrid-Mexico City-Madrid, n = 12) and eastbound (Madrid-Tokyo-Madrid, n = 21) flights. A group of 10 age-matched people staying in Madrid were submitted to the same tests and served as a control group. Changes in urinary 6-sulphatoxymelatonin (6-aMTs) and free cortisol excretion (determined in 6-hr intervals) were measured by radioimmunoassay. Using wrist actigraphy, the circadian locomotor activity rhythm (LAR) was also monitored. Maximal baseline excretion of 6-aMTs occurred between 00:00 and 12:00 hr and maximal excretion of cortisol took place between 6:00 and 12:00 hr in the control group. Analysed globally, older pilots exhibited significantly lower values of 6-aMTs than younger ones. In both flight directions, pilots maintained the pattern of excretion of 6-aMTs, corresponding to baseline. The return flight to Madrid from Mexico and Tokyo coincided with a maximum in 6-aMTs excretion. Pilots kept the cortisol pattern found in the control group, with those over 50 years of age exhibiting significantly lower cortisol values than the younger ones. A 7-hr delay in acrophase of LAR after 2 days in Mexico City was found after cosinor analysis, and similar pre-flight values were found after returning to Madrid. An 8-9-hr acrophase advance of LAR was observed after arriving in Tokyo, with acrophase on the post-return flight day still being advanced 3 4 hr as compared to pre-flight values. Decreases in the amplitude of LAR in older pilots were found at Mexico City, as well as at Tokyo stopover and on post-flight day. Data confirm the occurrence of internal desynchronization in airline crewmembers after transmeridian flights.     

Gelatin "shots" as a new method for alcohol administration in a laboratory setting

BACKGROUND: This experiment was designed to compare gelatin "shots"-a new procedure for administering alcohol in a laboratory setting-to the alcohol beverage method. We proceeded to test whether the two methods were comparable in terms of alcohol absorption, metabolism, and effects on mood and whether gelatin "shots" were better than the beverage in disguising alcohol in a blind, placebo comparison. METHODS: Healthy volunteers participated in a two-phase trial. In the first phase they completed 2 days of testing during which the effects of alcohol-delivered in beverage (1 day) or gelatin "shots" (alternative day)-on blood and breathalyzer concentrations and mood were assessed. In the second phase participants completed 2 days of testing and were asked to identify if samples contained alcohol or placebo. The presentation of alcohol and placebo and the presentation of beverage or gelatin "shots" were random. RESULTS: In the first phase there was a significant time-by-condition interaction in the blood alcohol concentration. Two-and-a-half hours after the alcohol was administered, those given gelatin "shots" had slightly lower but statistically significant blood alcohol concentrations. There was a significant time effect for breathalyzer alcohol levels but no condition or condition-by-time interaction. There were no differences between the two methods on any of the subjective mood measures. In the second phase of the study there were differences in the ability to differentiate alcohol from placebo between the two conditions with significantly more participants making errors in the gelatin "shots" than in the beverage condition. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that gelatin "shots" are an effective method for delivering alcohol to humans in a laboratory setting. This method may be superior to the alcohol beverage mixture in a placebo-controlled design because gelatin "shots" mask the alcohol much better than a beverage and are easier to administer.     

Varenicline potentiates alcohol-induced negative subjective responses and offsets impaired eye movements

Background: Varenicline (VAR) is a partial nicotinic receptor agonist that is an effective smoking cessation medication. Preliminary evidence indicates that it may also reduce alcohol consumption, but the underlying mechanism is not clear. For example, VAR may reduce alcohol consumption by attenuating its subjectively rewarding properties or by enhancing its aversive effects. In this study, we examined the effects of an acute dose of VAR upon subjective, physiological, and objective responses to low and moderate doses of alcohol in healthy social drinkers. Methods: Healthy men and women (N = 15) participated in 6 randomized sessions; 3 sessions each with 2 mg VAR and placebo (PL) followed 3 hours later by a beverage containing PL, low‐dose alcohol (0.4 g/kg), or high‐dose alcohol (0.8 g/kg). Subjective mood and drug effects (i.e., stimulation, drug liking), physiological measures (heart rate, blood pressure), and eye tracking tasks were administered at various intervals before and after drug and alcohol administration. Results: VAR acutely increased blood pressure, heart rate, ratings of dysphoria and nausea, and also improved eye tracking performance. After alcohol drinking (vs. PL), VAR increased dysphoria and tended to reduce alcohol liking ratings. It also attenuated alcohol‐induced eye‐tracking impairments. These effects were independent of the drug’s effects on nausea before drinking. Conclusions: Our data support the theory that VAR may reduce drinking by potentiating aversive effects of alcohol. VAR also offsets alcohol‐induced eye movement impairment. The evidence suggests that VAR may decrease alcohol consumption by producing effects, which oppose the rewarding efficacy of alcohol.     

Effects of alcohol on simulated driving and perceived driving impairment in binge drinkers

Background:  Binge drinking (heavy episodic alcohol use) is associated with high rates of impaired driving and myriad alcohol-related accidents. However, the underlying reasons for the heightened accident risk in this demographic group are not known. This research examined acute alcohol effects on simulated driving performance and subjective ratings of intoxication and driving ability in binge and nonbinge drinkers.
Methods:  Young social drinking college students (24 binge drinkers and 16 nonbinge drinkers) participated in this study. Participants attended a session during which they received a moderate dose of alcohol (0.65 g/kg) and a session during which they received a placebo. A simulated driving task measured participants' driving performance in response to each dose. Subjective responses to each dose were also assessed, including ratings of sedation, stimulation, and driving ability.
Results:  The acute dose of alcohol impaired multiple aspects of driving performance in both binge and nonbinge drinkers. Under alcohol, all participants had greater difficulty in maintaining their lane position, maintaining the appropriate speed and made multiple driving errors compared to placebo performance. By contrast, compared with nonbinge drinkers, binge drinkers reported feeling less sedated by the alcohol and reported having a greater ability to drive following the acute dose of alcohol.
Conclusions:  Reduced subjective intoxication and perceived driving impairment in binge drinkers may account for the greater accident risk in this demographic group. Binge drinkers may lack the internal sedation cue that helps them accurately assess that they are not able to effectively drive a vehicle after drinking.     

The effects of binge drinking on college students' next‐day academic test‐taking performance and mood state

Aim To assess the effects of binge drinking on students' next‐day academic test‐taking performance. Design A placebo‐controlled cross‐over design with randomly assigned order of conditions. Participants were randomized to either alcoholic beverage [mean = 0.12 g% breath alcohol concentration (BrAC)] or placebo on the first night and then received the other beverage a week later. The next day, participants were assessed on test‐taking, neurocognitive performance and mood state. Participants A total of 196 college students (≥21 years) recruited from greater Boston. Setting The trial was conducted at the General Clinical Research Center at the Boston Medical Center. Measurements The Graduate Record Examinations© (GREs) and a quiz on a lecture presented the previous day measured test‐taking performance; the Neurobehavioral Evaluation System (NES3) and the Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT) measured neurocognitive performance; and the Profile of Mood States (POMS) measured mood. Findings Test‐taking performance was not affected on the morning after alcohol administration, but mood state and attention/reaction‐time were affected. Conclusion Drinking to a level of 0.12 g% BrAC does not affect next‐day test‐taking performance, but does affect some neurocognitive measures and mood state.     

Alcohol Expectancies and Behavioral and Emotional Responses to Placebo Versus Alcohol Administration

Forty normal drinking males were recruited for a study of "responses to alcohol." Following the completion of an alcohol use questionnaire that included measures of expectancies of alcohol effects, subjects were randomly assigned to either receive the actual 0.6 g/kg dose of ethanol to bring their peak blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to near 0.075 g/dl or to receive a placebo dose. Neither the subject nor the tester was aware of the condition to which the subject has been assigned. Prior to dosing and at repeated 1/2-hr intervals following dosing, subjects were tested on a battery of motor coordination, perceptual speed, reaction time, and mood measures. Significant alcohol effects were found for several measures, but the only significant interaction of individual differences in expectancies of alcohol effects with alcohol dosing occurred for self-perceived intoxication. Subjects who expected more disinhibition after alcohol dosing and who were administered alcohol reported more intoxication than those expecting less disinhibition, while no expectancy effect was found for subjects administered the placebo.     

The subjective, rather than the disinhibiting, effects of alcohol are related to binge drinking

Background: Evidence suggests that alcohol‐related problems are associated with impulsivity and disinhibited behavior. Less certain is whether disinhibited behavior is due to an impulsive disposition or alcohol’s ability to disinhibit some people more than others. There are a range of disinhibited behaviors associated with alcohol, including excessive alcohol consumption, bingeing. The study tested whether nondependent alcohol bingers showed more disinhibition after placebo and/or alcohol relative to nonbingers and whether this was related to enhanced motivation to drink following a priming dose of alcohol. Methods: Twenty participants (10 bingers) attended the laboratory twice. Baseline measures included impulsivity, alcohol‐related cognitions, alcohol urge, and mood. Participants were preloaded with alcohol (male: 0.6 g/kg, female: 0.5 g/kg) and placebo (counterbalanced). After a 20‐minute rest, participants completed 2 impulsivity tasks (Two Choice & Time Estimation) separated by second urge and mood ratings. Results: Bingers did not show greater impulsivity characteristics but were more concerned about their drinking (p = 0.02) and ability to control drinking (p = 0.04). A priming effect was found: alcohol urge increased after alcohol but not placebo (p = 0.006). Bingers reported greater tolerance to the sedative (p = 0.05) and lightheaded (p = 0.04) effects of alcohol, relative to nonbingers. Binge status was not associated with impulsivity task performance, while preload type (alcohol/placebo) supported only marginal associations. Conclusions: Risk of binge drinking in nondependent individuals is not strongly affected by impulsive personality characteristics or alcohol’s ability to induce behavioral disinhibition. However, alcohol did lead to a priming effect and bingers were more tolerant to the sedative and lightheaded effects of alcohol relative to placebo. Risk of binge drinking is associated with the subjective effects of a priming dose of alcohol.     

Acute and Chronic Alcohol Exposure Impair the Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells and Enhance the Pulmonary Inflammatory Response

Background: Alcohol abuse increases the risk for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Efferocytosis, the clearance of apoptotic cells, is important in the resolution of inflammation and is regulated by RhoA and rho kinase (ROCK) activation. The effects of alcohol on pulmonary Rho pathway activation and efferocytosis have not been determined. We hypothesize that acute and chronic alcohol exposure impair pulmonary efferocytosis, leading to heightened inflammation during ARDS. Methods: For in vivo experiments, C57BL/6 mice received either a single intraperitoneal injection of alcohol or chronic ethanol‐in‐water for 8 weeks prior to intratracheal instillation of apoptotic cells or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed for cells counts, calculation of the phagocytic index (PI), and Rho activity measurements. For in vitro studies, primary alveolar macrophages were cultured in alcohol (25–100 mM) and then co‐cultured with apoptotic cells. RhoA activity was determined following alcohol exposure, and the PI was determined before and after treatment with the ROCK inhibitor, Y27632. Results: Acute alcohol exposure was associated with impaired efferocytosis. Following LPS exposure, acute alcohol exposure was also associated with increased BAL neutrophils. Chronic alcohol exposure alone did not alter efferocytosis. However, following exposure to LPS, chronic alcohol exposure was associated with both impaired efferocytosis and increased BAL neutrophils. In vitro alcohol exposure caused a dose‐dependent decrease in efferocytosis. Despite the fact that RhoA activity was decreased by alcohol exposure and RhoA inhibition did not alter the effects of alcohol on efferocytosis, treatment with the Rho kinase inhibitor, Y27632, reversed the effects of alcohol on efferocytosis. Conclusions: Acute alcohol exposure impairs pulmonary efferocytosis, whereas exposure to chronic alcohol is only associated with impaired efferocytosis following LPS‐induced lung injury. Both forms of alcohol exposure are associated with increased alveolar neutrophil numbers in response to LPS. The acute effects of alcohol on efferocytosis appear to be mediated, at least in part, by RhoA‐independent activation of ROCK. Further studies are needed to dissect the differences between the effects of acute and chronic alcohol exposure on efferocytosis and to determine the effects of alcohol on alternative activators of ROCK.