A new study suggests that ANKK1 gene may play a role in addictive behaviors, providing a potential explanation for inconsistent findings with the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2). The research used data from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism and found evidence of association between ANKK1 and addiction phenotypes.
Researchers used computerized craniofacial anthropometry to diagnose patients with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) in a diverse study population. The study found unique facial features that distinguished individuals with FAS from controls, suggesting that FAS differs across ethnic groups.
Research found a bidirectional relationship between alcohol dependence and neighborhood characteristics. Alcoholism leads to staying in or moving into disadvantaged neighborhoods, while recovery from alcoholism is protective against social drift. Living in poor neighborhoods has an adverse effect on alcoholic symptomatology over time.
Researchers compared gene expression in the frontal cortex of cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic alcoholics, finding widespread effects on cellular pathways related to cirrhosis. This suggests that heavy drinking can cause more brain damage in individuals with liver scarring.
Long-term memory retrieval in abstinent alcoholics shows lower brain activity in key regions, indicating latent lesions or subclinical pathology. This suggests that brain damages from alcohol use can occur without apparent cognitive impairments.
A new study found that immediate suspension of a driver's license upon failure of an alcohol breath test can reduce alcohol-related fatalities by five percent, saving hundreds of lives annually. This effect is seen across all demographics and circumstances, including individuals with just one or two drinks.
A new study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that brief motivational interviews are still effective 15 months after initiation for college students sent to alcohol counseling. In-person interventions showed better long-term results than written feedback.
A new study found that prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with altered responses in frontal-striatal areas of the brain, leading to cognitive and behavioral deficits. The research also suggests a link between prenatal alcohol exposure and an increased risk of substance-use disorders.
A new study examines 'shoulder tapping,' where an underage person asks a stranger to purchase alcohol. Young males are the most willing to participate, with 19% of adults in this demographic agreeing to buy beer for an underage youth. This behavior can lead to serious problems, including traffic crashes and unplanned pregnancies.
A new study suggests that smoking can interfere with the neurocognitive recovery of alcoholics during their first six to nine months of abstinence. Non-smoking alcoholics showed significant improvement in areas such as mental efficiency, problem-solving, and working memory compared to smoking alcoholics.
A new study found that early-morning Friday classes can significantly reduce excessive drinking on Thursday nights. The research suggests that requiring students to attend early classes, especially before 10 a.m., can help decrease binge drinking and heavy consumption of alcohol.
Research found that medical patients with an alcohol-use disorder are at a higher risk of requiring mechanical ventilation, and those who develop alcohol withdrawal need it for a longer period. The study's authors recommend screening all medical intensive-care patients for AUDs to identify potential complications.
A new study found that binge drinking is linked to poor decision making among college students, regardless of impulsivity. Long-term neurocognitive effects are unclear, but researchers suggest heavy alcohol use can impact decision-making abilities.
A recent study has found that maternal alcohol use during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of extreme preterm delivery. The effects are more pronounced among women aged 30 years and older. Researchers also found that cocaine use was associated with an increased risk, while smoking had a lesser impact.
A new study found that both heavy drinking and neighborhood characteristics can contribute to mutual intimate partner violence among married/cohabiting adults. Women who are the heaviest drinkers are at elevated risk for mutual IPV regardless of their neighborhood context.
Researchers analyzed data from 48 US states between 1975 and 2001 to determine the impact of minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) and beer taxes on youth traffic fatalities. The study found that raising MLDA or beer taxes in isolation led to fewer youth-traffic fatalities, but that these effects were more pronounced when other policies we...
Researchers found that alcoholics experience impaired HPA axis reactivity, leading to increased stress vulnerability. Exercise can exacerbate this issue, but a balanced approach is recommended for early abstinence.
A new study examines the impact of spousal similarity on alcohol dependence (AD) risk. Assortative mating increases AD frequency, while reciprocal spousal interaction appears to protect against AD after accounting for assortative mating. This finding suggests that having an AD spouse may reduce the likelihood of developing AD.
A new study reveals that female alcoholics experience both physiological and cognitive declines from alcohol use sooner and with less consumption than men. Women are at risk of developing cognitive problems more rapidly than men, with deficits in executive functioning having a more pervasive effect on daily life.
Research suggests that variations in the alpha synuclein gene contribute to alcohol craving in certain individuals. The study found eight SNPs associated with alcohol craving, but not with dependence, indicating a possible subtype of alcoholics influenced by this genetic factor.
Research suggests that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to develop alcohol problems, particularly those who experience heavy drinking and stress in childhood. Parental alcoholism and family dynamics also play a significant role in the development of alcohol use disorders among young adults.
A study found that most first-time DWI offenders have high rates of other substance-use disorders and psychiatric disorders, requiring enhanced services in intervention programs. The research suggests that treatment approaches may need to be modified to better serve this more severe subtype of DWI offenders.
Researchers found that FASD children had longer reaction times and made more direction errors in eye-movement tasks. The study provides a powerful tool for assessing executive-function deficits in individuals with FASD.
A new Swedish study reveals that university students engaging in high-risk alcohol consumption benefit most from a skills-training program. The program, which combines cognitive-skill intervention and motivational techniques, was found to be more effective than other interventions in reducing alcohol consumption among at-risk students.
Research found that alcoholics with greater deficits in emotional facial expression recognition had worse treatment outcomes and prognosis. Despite three months of abstinence, these individuals showed continued impaired EFE decoding abilities.
A survey of 4,839 West Australian women found nearly 80% consumed alcohol in the three months before pregnancy, with more than half drinking during pregnancy despite recommendations. The study highlights the need for effective health promotion messages to reach women of child-bearing age.
A new study has found that the ADH1B*3 allele appears to protect against alcoholism in Afro-Trinidadians, while increasing the risk for liver disease among those who drink heavily. Individuals with this allele have lower alcohol consumption levels and are less likely to be alcohol-dependent.
Researchers found that measuring alcohol consumption and depression differently, as well as examining gender, are key issues when interpreting findings on the relationship between alcohol and depression. The study showed stronger associations between depression and heavy episodic drinking for women than men.
A new study finds that reduced frontal-lobe activity and impulsivity are linked to an increased risk of developing alcoholism. The study, published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, suggests that individuals with high impulsivity may be more vulnerable to excessive drinking and other disinhibitory disorders.
A new study finds significant ethnic differences in treatment use for alcohol problems among whites, blacks, and Hispanics. The majority of services are provided in settings like hospitals and medical clinics, but financial and logistical barriers hinder access for minorities.
A study found that individuals with a G allele of the mu-opioid receptor gene crave alcohol more than those with the A allele. This genetic marker may be related to how much a person craves alcohol in high-risk situations, potentially affecting treatment options.
New research indicates that prenatal alcohol exposure may be associated with changes in stress-response systems among infants. The study found elevated cortisol levels and responses to social challenges in infants born to mothers who consumed alcohol during pregnancy.
Researchers found an imbalance of activity in the right and left frontal areas of the brain, indicating a dysregulation in emotion and motivation systems. This imbalance may be genetically based and is similar to patterns seen in individuals with depression.
Researchers found that adolescent smokers are more vulnerable to AUDs due to nicotine's impact on the brain's central reward circuitry. The study, published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, suggests smoking can make adolescents more susceptible to addictions beyond just alcohol.
Individuals in early recovery from alcoholism who have inaccurate sleep perceptions are more likely to return to drinking. Poor sleep quality can lead to mood disturbances and increased vulnerability to relapse.
Researchers found a significant association between the GAD1 gene and the development of alcoholism in Han Taiwanese men. The study suggests that defects in GABA synthesis may contribute to increased alcohol consumption, leading to dependence. Further exploration of GABA's role in alcoholism may lead to new treatment strategies.
Researchers found a reduction in total hippocampus volume among adult male veterans with a history of heavy drinking, suggesting injury to the brain structure. The study's results may explain some memory impairment and cognitive deficits observed in chronic alcoholics.
Researchers discovered a decrease in neuron density in the orbitofrontal cortex among alcoholics, which may lead to decision-making and emotional behavioral issues. The findings suggest that continued alcohol abuse results in irreversible neuronal loss, emphasizing the importance of stopping alcohol consumption.
Research suggests that teenage brains can quickly adapt to the effects of alcohol, leading to a disconnect between behavioral and physiological responses. This may result in teenagers being less impaired by alcohol but also more likely to engage in binge drinking, which poses significant risks to brain development.
Research found a strong link between AA membership and decreased homicide rates in Ontario, with men consuming more beer and spirits showing the greatest benefit. The study suggests that participating in AA can exert beneficial effects on alcohol-related violence at a population level.
Research found that alcohol-dependent individuals with comorbid personality disorders, particularly antisocial and borderline PDs, exhibit impaired decision-making abilities. This study highlights the importance of neurocognitive mechanisms in understanding alcohol-use disorders.
A new study found that parents are largely unaware of their children's alcohol and drug use, with significant discrepancies in reports. The study analyzed data from 591 adolescent-parent pairs and found that parent reports added little information to the knowledge of adolescent substance use beyond what adolescents themselves reported.
Chronic binge drinking in rhesus macaques accelerated SIV disease progression, increasing time to AIDS and viral loads. The study suggests that early treatment is crucial for reducing alcohol use and extending life among HIV-infected individuals.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that acamprosate improved sleep disturbances in alcohol-dependent patients attempting to stop drinking. The medication was shown to reduce sleep problems during acute withdrawal and maintain its effects after two weeks of treatment.
Researchers found that a variant of the ADH gene influences response to alcohol among non-Asians, potentially decreasing risk for alcoholism. The study suggests that genetic factors can impact an individual's ability to interpret other genes' effects.
A recent Italian school study found high rates of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), with prevalence rates three times higher than previously estimated for Western Europe. The study used active surveillance to identify children with growth and behavioral problems, revealing a significant associati...
A new study found that long-term abstinence from alcohol can resolve many neurocognitive deficits, including short- and long-term memory, planning, learning, and comprehension. However, spatial processing abilities may be impaired, affecting daily activities like driving.
A new study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that individuals with more alcoholic relatives are more likely to experience alcohol-related problems. The research used data from 376 male participants over 20 years, analyzing the relationships between response to alcohol, family history, and various outcomes.
A study found that naltrexone increased the urge to drink in individuals with a positive family history, suggesting genetic factors at play. The OPRM1 gene was identified as a key genetic moderator of naltrexone's effects on alcohol cue reactivity.
A recent study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that nicotine decreases blood alcohol concentrations in adult rats. The second key finding is that the capability of nicotine to decrease BAC can only be observed if alcohol is given through the oral route of administration.