Auditory brainstem potentials in chronic alcoholics.

Auditory brainstem potentials were recorded from abstinent chronic alcoholics and control subjects. The latencies of peaks II, III, IV, and V were significantly delayed in the alcoholic patients compared to control subjects. Brainstem transmission time was longer in alcoholics than in controls. This study provides systematic evidence that chronic alcohol abuse results in brainstem deficits suggesting possible demyelination of auditory tracts.