RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The P300 ERP component is a marker of reduced capacity in alcohol use disorder (AUD) to engage attentional mechanisms and update memory representations. No meta-analysis to date has been completed comparing effect size estimates of auditory vs. visual stimuli in AUD. In addition, there is a lack of consensus on whether the P3b in women is reduced, or whether the P3a - an earlier, more frontally distributed component - is reduced in AUD. METHODS: Strict inclusion criteria and data-analysis plans were implemented. Eligible studies needed to diagnose AUD using DSM or ICD-10 and exclude patients with any psychiatric co-morbidities. Data analysis was completed using a refined variance estimator of the random effects model. RESULTS: Effect size estimates were large for both auditory (Hedges' gâ¯=â¯1.01, pâ¯=â¯.056) and visual (Hedges' gâ¯=â¯0.77, pâ¯=â¯.040) P300 amplitudes, but only marginally significant for the auditory modality. Auditory P300 latency was significantly increased in AUD patients (Hedges' gâ¯=â¯0.73, pâ¯=â¯.027). The moderator analysis did not show significant sex differences for either auditory (pâ¯=â¯.97) or visual (pâ¯=â¯.45) P3b. Finally, the P3a was not reduced in patients with AUD (Hedges' gâ¯=â¯1.01; pâ¯=â¯.59). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis clarifies important questions related to P300 in AUD. By resolving inconsistencies, it is hoped that this information will facilitate the design of futurestudies.