The day after binge: Electrophysiological correlates of attention and working memory processing the day after hazardous alcohol intake

Binge drinking (BD) is a prevalent pattern of alcohol consumption among young adults, with significant cognitive and neural implications. While its long-term effects on executive function and memory have been widely studied, less is known about the short-term consequences of the hangover state. This study investigates the impact of BD and alcohol hangover on working memory and attention. Fifty-two university students (24 Binge drinkers [BDs]; 28 control) participated in an EEG-based continuous performance task (CPT). BD participants were assessed on a non-drinking day and during hangover state, while controls completed a single assessment. The P3 and late positive component (LPC) event-related potentials were analyzed to examine attentional and memory-related processes. While no significant behavioral differences were observed, neurophysiological analyses revealed altered cognitive processing associated with both the long-term consequences of BD behavior and its short-term effects (i.e., during the hangover state). Specifically, during hangover, BDs P3 and LPC amplitudes were significantly reduced in both conditions, indicating impairments in attentional resource allocation and memory processing. In contrast, BDs exhibited larger LPC amplitudes for both conditions on a non-drinking day than controls, suggesting the engagement of compensatory neural mechanisms. Additionally, in the hangover state, reduced P3 correlated with increased alcohol craving, while lower LPC amplitudes in hangover state were associated with greater alcohol intake during BD episode in the preceding day. These findings highlight acute neurocognitive disruptions during hangover and give emphasis to the concerning cumulative impact of repeated BD episodes long-term.