A recent study found that nicotine increases alcohol consumption and may require simultaneous treatment for addiction. Nicotine activates the brain's nicotinic receptors, leading to dopamine release, similar to alcohol consumption.
A recent study found that neighborhoods with higher densities of alcohol outlets have higher rates of drinking, accidents, and violence. The density of alcohol outlets in a neighborhood can shift the distribution of drinkers towards heavier drinking and more permissive norms.
A recent study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that short-term alcoholics demonstrate the same brain damage as long-term alcoholics. The study suggests that there may be separate vulnerabilities to developing an alcohol dependency and brain damage, and that recovery from brain damage can take time.
A recent study found that heavy drinking during adolescence can cause significant damage to thinking abilities, particularly information recall. The researchers also discovered a link between withdrawal experiences and poorer neuropsychological functioning in adolescents.
Chronic stress can cause immune system dysfunction, brain cell damage and impaired learning. Long-term alcohol exposure blunts the body's ability to respond to stress, leading to a domino-like effect on hormone release and ultimately damaging the immune system.
A recent study found that alcohol dependence eliminates any protective effect of moderate drinking, intensifying risks associated with heavy drinking. Light and moderate drinkers have lower mortality rates than heavier drinkers and abstainers due to lifestyle factors such as exercise and diet.
A recent study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that moderate alcohol consumption can decrease production and circulating levels of fibrinogen by up to 20 percent, thereby decreasing harmful clotting. This reduction may lower the risk of heart attack and coronary artery disease.
Recent findings suggest that neurosteroids play a major role in alcohol's effects on the brain by increasing GABA function. Neurosteroids interact with neurotransmitter receptors to alter neurotransmission, producing their effects in a millisecond time frame.
A recent study found that younger people are both drinking and developing alcohol problems at an earlier age. Those who develop alcoholism early in life have greater social and legal problems. The study also showed a strong association between early use of substances and later-in-life alcohol-use disorders, depression, and multiple hea...
Researchers in Taiwan discovered a rare individual with two copies of the genetic mutation that protects against alcoholism. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that individuals with this mutation are immune to developing alcohol disorders.
Researchers found that alcohol sensitizes dopamine and serotonin neurons, leading to excitotoxicity and neuronal damage. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may protect against this excitotoxicity, suggesting a potential treatment for alcoholics undergoing withdrawal.
A study funded by NIAAA found a common linkage between prenatal alcohol exposure and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), suggesting reduced dopamine neurons may contribute to hyperactivity. The research suggests both immediate and long-lasting effects on the brain's ability to focus.
Researchers have discovered that environmental stimuli like smells can induce a neurochemical response in the brain that may reinstate alcohol-seeking behavior after withdrawal. This study suggests that understanding the mechanisms involved in relapse can lead to the development of medications that target specific critical neural systems.
A recent study found that alcohol consumption during pregnancy can cause early delivery, with potential health consequences including low birth weight and increased risk of death or long-term illness. Researchers believe a critical period for drinking may exist, and prevention is key to reducing premature births.
Researchers discovered that high levels of alcohol during late fetal development kill Purkinje cells, which act to filter and synthesize information. Alcohol deprives these cells of Glial Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF), necessary for their survival.
A recent study found that the majority of Americans with alcoholism do not receive treatment, highlighting a significant gap in care. The research identified distinct characteristics among those who did receive treatment, suggesting that treatment options may need to be tailored to address specific needs.