Key findings from brain bank research highlight the importance of standardized protocols and consideration of quality-related factors. The use of brain banks has led to a better understanding of alcohol-induced brain shrinkage, with potential implications for prevention and reversal of this condition.
A study found that alcohol consumption does not have a protective effect for African Americans, unlike in white populations. The researchers suggest that different drinking patterns, such as binge drinking, may be the cause of this difference.
A study found a strong connection between behavioral undercontrol and the stimulating effects of alcohol, placing individuals at greater risk for developing alcohol problems. Those who experience higher levels of stimulation while drinking tend to have higher levels of drinking behavior.
A new study found that acute alcohol consumption increases plasma and brain testosterone concentrations in male rats, contrary to previous research. The study's authors suggest individual differences may underlie these variations, providing new insights into the behavioral and endocrine effects of alcohol abuse.
A study confirms that individuals born more recently have higher rates of alcohol dependence, contrary to the age effect seen in other diseases. The study's findings suggest a potential 'epidemic' of alcoholism among young people, although underreporting and familial factors may also play a role.
Researchers found that a father's maximum number of drinks consumed in 24 hours is associated with disruptive behavior disorders, early substance-use initiation, and early substance-related disorders in his children. The study suggests that this 'phenotype' could supplement diagnostic categories for alcohol dependence.
Researchers examined two groups of children ages five to 10 years with prenatal alcohol exposure and found impaired ability to perceive and utilize temporal information. Alcohol-exposed children demonstrated slower and less efficient responses, particularly those with lower IQs.
A study found that religious service attendance is associated with lower rates of binge drinking in non-Jewish college students, but not in Jewish college students. In contrast, being religiously Jewish and having a stronger sense of Jewish identity are linked to lower levels of alcohol consumption.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research explores the relationship between alcoholism and serotonin. Researchers found that a specific drug probe did not elicit a hormonal response in abstinent alcohol-dependent subjects, suggesting alternative explanations for the connection between serotonin and alcohol depen...
Research suggests that moderate drinking during pregnancy may cause subtle, long-lasting cognitive problems in offspring. Studies found that adult rodent offspring of mothers who consumed low to moderate amounts of alcohol during pregnancy had impaired spatial learning and reduced synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus.
A study comparing two short screening instruments for alcohol-use disorders found that the Rapid Alcohol Problems Screen (RAPS4) is more effective than the CAGE questionnaire, particularly among women and ethnic minorities. The RAPS4-QF variant performed significantly better in identifying alcohol abuse across all gender and service-ut...
Researchers found that teen-age girls with a history of depression display enhanced alpha activity in the brain, indicating a consistent abnormality. A family history of alcoholism is associated with beta activity in a different region, suggesting potential biological markers for liability to alcoholism or depression.
A study found that light to moderate drinking during pregnancy can lead to growth deficits in adolescents, affecting their weight, height, and head circumference. The researchers also identified a dose-response relation between gestational exposure and growth deficits, with effects seen even at low levels of alcohol consumption.
Researchers identified a gene on chromosome 1 linked to drinking patterns in individuals with anxiety-type behavior. The study suggests that studying quantitative measures of drinking may help identify genes involved in alcohol use and problematic drinking.
Researchers evaluated saccadic performance in adults with a family history of alcoholism, finding they were slower than those without a history. The study suggests that adaptive response to alcohol is associated with a family-history status known to be associated with genetic influence on alcoholism risk.
A study in Denmark found that pregnant women's attitudes toward drinking during pregnancy exist independently of their knowledge of the subject. A majority of women considered some alcohol acceptable, mostly on a weekly level, while binge drinking was deemed harmful. The research highlights the need for targeted health information stra...
A study found that naltrexone significantly reduced relapse rates among Spanish patients with a Mediterranean drinking pattern, demonstrating its effectiveness when combined with psycho-social intervention. The results suggest that naltrexone can be a suitable treatment option for European alcohol-dependent patients.
A recent study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that transit employees with heavier weekly drinking rates were more likely to experience trauma on the job. The study suggests that off-the-job drinking can have costly impacts for workers and transit agencies, highlighting the importance of considering fact...
A study found that prenatal alcohol exposure can impair reaction times, particularly when processing multiple signals. Children with prenatal alcohol exposure showed slower premotor and motor reaction times, indicating difficulties in both central and peripheral processes involved in information processing and action planning.
Researchers found that women married to alcoholics are more likely to meet criteria for alcoholism themselves, use illicit drugs, and be current smokers. The study also suggests that understanding the mother's characteristics is crucial in interpreting the father's AUDs.
Research found that heavy drinkers exhibit a 'biphasic' response to alcohol, experiencing increased stimulation and euphoria during rising blood alcohol concentrations, but sedation and fatigue during declining levels. In contrast, light drinkers showed only sedation and no positive mood changes.
Researchers found that male and female rats selectively bred for high and low sensitivity to alcohol also exhibited differences in their response to nicotine. The study suggests that genetic factors may contribute to the co-occurrence of these two substances in individuals, highlighting the need for further research on this topic.
Research found that alcoholics exhibit blunted heart-rate responses to public speaking despite similar anxiety levels, indicating a disconnection between perception and physiological response. This impairment may contribute to social functioning and emotional experiences in individuals recovering from severe alcohol dependence.
Scientists have identified several genes that affect how much alcohol reaches the brain and how long it remains there, shedding light on individual differences in alcohol metabolism. The findings could lead to new treatments for alcoholism and highlight the importance of further research into the genetic factors involved.
Researchers examined abstinent alcoholics and healthy controls to investigate motor functioning, finding impaired limb movements, gait, and postural stability. Alcoholic men showed slower movement speeds and jerky movements, while women displayed less impairment but still struggled with postural instability.
Research found that chronic alcohol consumption led to a decrease in survival of melanoma-bearing mice due to body fat loss, suggesting potential risks for human cancer patients. The study also highlights the role of leptin in modulating immune function and cancer progression.
A new study confirms that binge drinking can cause neuronal damage in the brain. Damage to the olfactory bulb occurred after just two days of 'binge drinking', while other regions were damaged after four days. The study suggests that alcohol-induced brain damage occurs during intoxication, not withdrawal.
A study found that nearly 16% of alcoholics had attempted suicide, and first-degree relatives of those who attempted suicide were more likely to have made attempts as well. The risk factors included a history of severe alcohol dependence and psychiatric disorders.
A study examining associations between male and female alcohol problems, drug use, and risk of intimate partner violence found that female alcohol-related problems were associated with an increased risk of moderate and severe male IPV. Couples living in high-unemployment neighborhoods were also at increased risk for severe IPV.
A new study found that alcohol and nicotine interact in the brain's dopamine system, suggesting a link between the two addictive behaviors. Rodent studies showed that combining alcohol and nicotine increased dopamine release, while blocking nicotinic effects with mecamylamine reduced alcohol's pleasurable effects.
New research examines how managed care affects access to alcohol and drug treatment, highlighting the need for clear guidelines and accountability. Studies show that prior authorization requirements can set up barriers to timely treatment and that longer retention rates are associated with more positive outcomes.
Research shows that alcohol consumption can increase cancer risk by impairing DNA repair processes, leading to genetic damage and mutations. Acetaldehyde, a metabolite of alcohol, is identified as the primary culprit in this process.
A study of patients entering detoxification for alcohol and other drug dependence found that serious injury is common among those with alcohol dependence. The study suggests that problems with alcohol, rather than illicit drugs, are associated with increased risk of injury.
Research suggests that chronic alcohol consumption leads to long-lasting brain changes that promote relapse. Stressful cues and environmental triggers also contribute to relapse drinking. Understanding these factors is crucial for developing effective treatments, such as medications and behavioral therapies.
A study of urban pregnant Native American and African American women found that these groups have higher rates of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) than white women. The research reveals distinct beverage preferences, with beer being the preferred choice among Native Americans and malt liquor among African Americans.
A study found that prenatal alcohol exposure differentially affects visual and auditory attention in adolescents, with dysmorphic individuals showing a specific deficit in visual processing. The results suggest that attention is not uniformly affected, and knowledge of these patterns may aid in the development of remediative programs.
Research found that regular alcohol intake higher than 70 grams per week is associated with increased total serum IgE levels. Moderate drinking may also lead to abnormal immune responses, affecting the control of the immune system's response to allergens.
A study found that employees with elevated or risky levels of alcohol consumption showed an increase in sick days. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) tests were used to identify risk consumers, while the gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) test was used for comparison purposes.
A study found that physician interventions can significantly decrease alcohol use and related health issues in at-risk patients. The intervention program, Project TrEAT, resulted in a 15-20% reduction in patient health care utilization and overall costs.
A study found that alcohol consumption during the third trimester of pregnancy alters thyroid function in both mothers and fetuses, which could lead to brain defects. The researchers used sheep as a model and administered varying doses of alcohol to pregnant ewes, resulting in altered thyroid hormone levels in both mother and fetus.
Research suggests a link between genetic variation in the ADH2 gene and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) prevalence. The study found that individuals with the ADH2*2 allele had a lower risk of FAS, suggesting potential protection against fetal alcohol exposure.
Research found moderate alcohol intake reduces risk of cognitive impairment in elderly individuals, particularly those consuming less than 40g daily. Conversely, high levels of alcohol consumption increase the risk of cognitive dysfunction.
Researchers used Longitudinal Data Analysis (LCA) to identify subgroups of adolescents with common patterns of symptoms, improving the accuracy of DSM-IV AUD diagnoses. The study found a one-year decrease in severity of alcohol-related problems after substance-abuse treatment.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that the ADH2*3 allele may be associated with a lowered risk for developing alcoholism in young African American adults. The allele, which is prevalent among people of African descent, has been linked to faster and more efficient alcohol metabolism.
A study found that prolonged abstinence from alcohol can lead to partial reversal of structural brain damage, particularly in the frontal lobes and cerebellum. This suggests that brain function can improve with abstinence, offering hope for recovering alcoholics.
A comprehensive program combining naltrexone, communication skills training, and cue exposure training significantly reduced heavy drinking days and urges to drink. Patients who received the communications and coping skills training were less likely to report a relapse day.
The study examined the impact of alcohol on NMDA receptors in the brain, finding that it inhibits or prevents Fos protein induction. This suggests that alcohol acts by modifying these receptors, which could be linked to the development of symptoms and susceptibility to alcoholism.
A study found that individuals with the ALDH2 gene tend to have a stronger unpleasant response to alcohol, which may reduce high-risk expectancies. This genetic factor influences what people learn about the benefits of drinking, particularly in men.
Research suggests a genetic polymorphism in neuropeptide Y may decrease risk of Type I and II alcoholism, a surprise finding that challenges previous expectations. The study, published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, found the Pro(7) substitution to be associated with lower rates of alcohol dependence.
A study found that a person's neighborhood alcohol-outlet density is a significant risk factor for certain injuries, including sprains and bruises. The research suggests that programs and policies aimed at reducing alcohol-related problems should consider the role of neighborhood alcohol outlets.