Influence of alcoholism on cognitive functions in representatives of the indigenous population of Siberia

Narcological situation in the Republic of Tyva (Russia), relevant for the Siberian region, has been considered as a model for study of ethnic and cultural aspects of the problem of alcoholism. The clinical-psychological examination of 155 patients with alcoholism registered at the Republican Narcological Dispensary (Kyzyl), including 91 persons of Tuvinian nationality and 64 persons of Russian nationality, has been carried out. Cognitive traits of the representatives of the Tuvinian and Russian ethnos with alcohol dependence have been described that consisted of reduction of productivity of the memory, decrease in appropriateness of associative bonds. The association of graphical characteristics of drawings of patients with alcoholism, those are indicators of organic brain impairment, and severity of clinical manifestations of alcohol dependence has been identified. In representatives of the Tuvinian ethnos alcohol dependence to major degree affects ability to operate with complex abstract notions, reduces productivity of remembering in comparison with Russians that testifies to greater vulnerability of the indigenous ethnos towards alcohol.