A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that alcoholism impairs associative memory, a component of episodic memory, which is essential for remembering face-name associations. Working memory, another short-term memory system, is also affected, leading to difficulties in holding information in mind.
Research found that adolescent attendance and involvement in 12-step meetings, such as AA and NA, promote greater abstinence among young people. Attending meetings at least once a week or more significantly improves substance use outcomes.
A study found that AD patients have difficulties transferring acquired knowledge to new contexts, despite being able to learn and acquire information. This transfer deficit may be related to deficits in declarative learning and dysfunction in the medial temporal lobe region of the brain.
A new study examines neural activation among individuals with and without a history of alcohol-induced fragmentary blackouts, suggesting individual differences in how alcohol impacts memory. The study found that some people are more likely to experience alcohol-induced blackouts due to unique patterns of blood flow and neural activity.
Research reveals significant rates of childhood trauma experience among alcohol-dependent individuals undergoing inpatient treatment. The study found that childhood trauma increases the likelihood of developing anxiety disorders, depression, and psychiatric disorders, as well as suicide attempts.
A study of young, non-dependent social drinkers found that the caudate nucleus and frontal cortex regions of the brain show less activation in people who drink more heavily. This association was stronger in women than in men and correlated with their frequency of drinking.
A new study links higher neighborhood bar density to increased intimate partner violence-related emergency department visits. Researchers found that bars are positively associated with IPV-related ED visits, while restaurants have no relationship.
A study found that varenicline increases the unpleasant effects of alcohol and decreases drug liking, reducing drinking. This may be due to varenicline counteracting the positive effects of alcohol, such as feeling 'buzzed' and talkative.
A new study compares brain activity in adolescents with and without a family history of alcoholism, finding that those at risk for alcohol use disorder show weaker activation in key brain regions. This suggests an increased vulnerability to poor decision-making regarding future alcohol use.
A new study found high hospital-patient acceptability of and comfort with nurse-delivered brief alcohol interventions, also known as SBIRT. Acceptability was higher among patients who felt they could determine and reduce their own health risks, indicating the importance of patient-centered care.
A new study found a strong relationship between adolescent drinking and criminal activity, including property crime, predatory crime, and victimization. Frequent alcohol consumption was associated with a greater probability of committing crimes and being victims, regardless of gender.
A new study found fetal alcohol exposure is underestimated or misreported in Italy, with a prevalence of 7.9% among newborns. Meconium biomarkers FAEEs and EtG were used to establish prenatal ethanol exposure.
A new study discovered that texting can effectively assess drinking problems and provide brief interventions in young adults, reducing the number of heavy drinking days. The intervention reduced binge episodes and drinks per drinking day compared to baseline.
Researchers found a link between genetic variants in cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1) and increased susceptibility to alcohol dependence. Specific CNR1 polymorphisms were more frequent in patients with alcohol dependence than those who abused alcohol.
A study found that individuals who were legally permitted to drink before the age of 21 remain at elevated risk for suicide and homicide as adults, particularly women born after 1960. The study suggests that higher minimum legal drinking ages may be preventing approximately 600 suicides and 600 homicides annually.
A recent study examines the cultural context of drinking's impact on the relationship between alcohol consumption and harm. The research reveals a significant dose-response relationship between alcohol and health issues across five European countries, with stronger links in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Sweden.
Researchers identified two groups of college students who drank at fairly high levels, with one group showing higher levels of impulsivity and aggression. These individuals are at a higher risk for developing future alcohol problems.
This study found that genetic influences on brain activation affect responses to alcohol, particularly in individuals with low response levels. Those with low response levels may not perceive changes in their brain activity after drinking, which can lead to increased consumption and risk of alcohol problems.
A new study found that heavy drinkers face higher injury risks than moderate drinkers, especially when sober. Moderate drinking was found to be more hazardous per drink than regular heavy drinking.
Researchers have found that chronic drinking leads to reduced cortical thickness in frontal and temporal brain regions, affecting cognitive abilities and intellectual functions. The study's results indicate that alcohol damage occurs in gradations, with more severe damage associated with higher levels of consumption.
This study found that chronic alcoholics' gait and balance can continue to recover with long-term abstinence from alcohol. However, deficits can persist, especially in eyes-closed standing balance. The results suggest that impaired brain functions appear to recover with extended abstinence.
A new study establishes a link between alcohol metabolism and DNA damage that may be related to breast and liver cancers. Acetaldehyde, a metabolite of alcohol, was found to cause DNA damage and trigger a response in human cells.
A review of 31 studies found that people born after World War II are more likely to binge drink and develop alcohol use disorders. The gender gap in alcohol problems is narrowing in many countries, highlighting the need for specific public health prevention and intervention efforts.
Researchers found high serum BDNF levels among alcohol-dependent individuals, which may predict relapse. Abstinence and non-abstinence conditions showed increased BDNF levels over time, indicating neurological transformations reflected by peripheral BDNF levels.
A Spanish study of adults found that heavy drinking and binge drinking were associated with a poor adherence to major food consumption guidelines. The researchers suggest that drinking at mealtimes may contribute to adverse metabolic effects and an increased risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
A new study confirms that a low level of response (LR) to alcohol increases risk for heavy drinking and problems among adolescents. LR is related to more adverse outcomes through partial mediation by peer substance use, positive expectancies, and using alcohol to cope with stress.
A new study found that female teens who binge drink have less brain activation and worse performance on attention and working memory tasks. Male binge drinkers showed some but less abnormality compared to non-drinkers. The findings suggest that adolescent girls may be more vulnerable to the negative effects of heavy alcohol use.
A new study found that acute stress can increase alcohol consumption by altering its effects, while chronic stress may prolong recovery from a stressful event. The study's results suggest that using alcohol to cope with stress may actually make a person's response to stress worse.
Recent studies have identified specific protein targets in the brain that are affected by alcohol, with distinct binding sites that interact with amino acids to alter normal function. Understanding these molecular mechanisms is crucial for developing new medicines to address alcohol abuse.
A study examined the reliability of DSM-IV diagnosis of alcohol dependence, finding that certain variables predict a reliable diagnosis. The heritability of LTH-AD was estimated to be 71 percent, confirming the importance of genetic influences.
Researchers found that treatments tailored to subgroups with increased motivation, reduced temptation, and confidence can lead to reductions in drinking behavior. Early-onset drinkers showed greater responsiveness to anti-craving medication.
A study of 122 Spanish university students found a clear association between binge drinking and poorer verbal declarative memory, even after controlling for other confounding variables. The research suggests that heavy episodic drinking may affect the brain's hippocampus, leading to impaired learning and memory abilities.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that individuals with a family history of Type I alcoholism are more sensitive to alcohol's stimulating effects, which may lead to increased consumption and a higher risk of developing alcoholism. The researchers also discovered that these individuals experience im...
Recent analysis of children and adolescents with FASD reveals significant volume reductions in deep gray matter structures. These findings suggest that the brain's relay stations, responsible for efficient communication between regions, are disproportionately affected by alcohol exposure during fetal development.
A laboratory study found that energy drinks combined with alcohol enhance feelings of stimulation but do not alter the level of behavioral impairment, particularly for impulsive behavior. This combination may make energy drink-alcohol consumption riskier than drinking alcohol alone.
A new study found that impulsive choice in alcohol dependence may be linked to functional anomalies in brain regions involved in cognitive and emotional control. Individuals with more severe AUDs showed increased activity in regions such as the insula and supplementary motor area when delaying gratification.
A population-based study found that parental alcohol use disorders significantly increase the risk of offspring developing an AUD. Female offspring were particularly vulnerable to this increased risk, suggesting a stronger genetic component for female development of AUDs.
A new study found that naltrexone is effective in reducing alcohol-induced euphoria in women and individuals with the A118G polymorphism of the mu opioid receptor gene. This suggests that personalized treatment options may be possible for those with specific genetic variations.
Children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and ADHD exhibit different patterns of learning and memory impairments. PAE is associated with initial encoding problems, while ADHD affects retrieval mechanisms, suggesting distinct underlying deficits.
A study found that early initiation of alcohol use is associated with increased stress-induced drinking in young adulthood. The study revealed a strong link between an early age at first drink and later heavy drinking when confronted with high-stress life events.
Researchers found that individuals who treated for alcohol use disorder and relapsed had thinner cortices in the brain's reward system compared to those who remained abstinent. The study suggests that neurobiological factors play a crucial role in relapse and may be associated with impaired problem-solving, mood, and impulse control.
Research suggests that genetic variations in enzymes producing neuroactive steroids may be related to the risk of developing alcohol dependence. Studies have found linkages between AD and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding two key enzymes required for the generation of endogenous neuroactive steroids.
A new study confirms the Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index (RAPI) is predictive of later diagnoses of alcoholism in young adulthood. Adolescent RAPI scores were associated with a higher likelihood of alcohol dependence seven years later, especially in females.
Researchers found a significant link between neighborhood liquor-store density and at-risk drinking among African Americans who consume alcohol. Women who drink were disproportionately affected by higher concentrations of liquor stores, suggesting that stress may be a contributing factor to this association.
A new study found that intoxication increases feelings of sleepiness while disrupting actual sleep measures in healthy women more than in healthy men. Women objectively had fewer hours of sleep, woke more frequently, and experienced more disrupted sleep than men.
A double-blind placebo-controlled study found that kudzu extract had little to no effect on participants' behavioral, physical, or cognitive performance. However, treatment with kudzu caused an increase in heart rate, skin temperature, and blood ethanol levels.
A new study found that alcohol dependence significantly predicts delayed marriages and early separations. Genetic influences also play a role in these associations.
A new study finds that hypermasculinity and trait aggression are strongly linked to the perpetration of aggression in bars, not victimization. This challenges the common belief that young men who engage in aggression in bars are willing participants.
A new study found that attending Alcoholics Anonymous at least once a week increased the chance of a positive outcome for incarcerated women returning to the community. The research also showed a significant decrease in alcohol-related consequences and overall drinking days among those who attended AA regularly.
A new study shows that attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings increases spirituality, leading to better alcohol outcomes and improved recovery rates. The research suggests that spirituality is an important factor in the multi-faceted recovery from alcohol-use disorder, but it's not the only method used.