Low and moderate doses of alcohol increased the number of errors relative to alcohol-free performance (Easdon et al., 2005). Success in withholding a prepotent response was associated with an early-enhanced stimulus-locked negativity (N170) at inferior parietal sites, which was delayed when participants failed to inhibit the motor command. Moreover, both doses reduced N170 and P3 amplitudes during Go, NoGo, and error trials. In comparison with correct responses, errors generated large response-locked negative (Ne) and positive (Pe) waves at central sites to feedback, components reflecting motivation significance and recognition of error. Both doses of alcohol reduced Ne amplitude, whereas Pe amplitude decreased only after moderate doses. These results indicate that behavioral disinhibition following alcohol consumption involved alcohol-induced deficits in maintaining and allocating attention, thereby affecting the processing of incoming stimuli and the recognition that an errant response has been made.
