The LTAA population is complex. LTAA vs. NAC effects could reflect phenomena that predispose individuals to severe alcoholism, the effects of severe alcoholism, the effects of long-term abstinence, or phenomena that facilitate individuals’ ability to attain long-term abstinence. Given that the P1 and N170 latency effects are present in other studies of treatment naïve and short-term abstinent alcoholics (Maurage et al., 2007b, 2008a, 2008d) it is likely that the latency findings are an effect of severe alcohol abuse that persists into long-term abstinence.
