We carried out studies in an attempt to determine whether or not equilibrium disorders found in chronic alcoholics could be improved with long-term abstinence of alcohol. Equilibrium function was examined in Japanese male subjects diagnosed as chronic alcoholics, of whom 29 inpatients had not ingested alcohol for 3 to 8 months (alcoholic group) and 18 outpatients for 1 to 3 years (abstainer group).
Spontaneous nystagmus in horizontal direction was observed in over 90% of all patients, while vertical and pendulum nystagmus were only observed in the alcoholic group. Peripheral and/or central vestibular disorders were detected in each one in the alcoholic group, however, peripheral disorders were observed in only one of the abstainer group. Thus, peripheral and/or central vestibular disorders do occur in chronic alcoholics. However, peripheral and severe central vestibular disorders do improve to some extent after an appropriate abstinence from alcohol.
