Typification of Fixations of Oculomotor Reactions in the Perception of Addictively Significant Stimuli by Patients with Alcohol Dependence

Abstract

The relevance of the study is due to the need to search for objectivizing methods for identifying signs and manifestations of dependence, both for diagnostic purposes and for the purpose of assessing the effectiveness of the rehabilitation process at its various stages. Purpose: to identify typical strategies for the distribution of fixations of oculomotor reactions during the perception of addictively significant stimuli by patients with alcohol dependence. Materials and Methods: The total sample size was 73 people. The experimental group included 37 subjects (23 men and 14 women) with alcohol dependence (diagnosed as F10.2 according to ICD 10 – Alcohol dependence). The control group consisted of 36 subjects (22 men and 14 women) with a “healthy” conclusion based on the results of periodic medical examinations. The study was carried out on the basis of written informed consent from the subjects. The study included two stages: an assessment of the neurocognitive status of the subjects (Montreal Cognitive Function Assessment (MoCA) and an experimental study of fixations of oculomotor reactions during the perception of addictively significant stimuli (the hardware complex for assessing oculomotor reactions Tobii EyeX and the GazeControll software). Results. Specific features of fixations of oculomotor reactions during the perception of addictively significant stimuli by patients with alcohol dependence make it possible to typify the strategies of oculomotor reactions. on an empty background field outside the depicted objects) may be due to the actualization of a pathological craving for alcohol caused by the demonstration of addictively significant stimuli.