Articles tagged with Alcoholism
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute found a connection between the ghrelin peptide and brain cells involved in alcoholism. The study suggests that blocking ghrelin's activity could help dampen or turn off cravings in alcoholics, offering new possibilities for treating addiction.
A recent study found that symptoms of alcohol abuse, rather than dependence, are a better predictor of familial risk for alcohol use disorders. The researchers analyzed the clinical features of 1,120 twins and found that AUD-associated legal problems were the most consistent single predictor of familial risk.
A new study found that fetuses exposed to heavy maternal drinking required more trials to habituate and exhibited greater variability in test performance. This suggests that maternal drinking during pregnancy can damage the earliest fetal learning abilities, leading to impaired habituation and stability of performance.
A Case Western Reserve University study found that AA-related Helping activities significantly lower alcohol use and increase interest in others over time. Participation in these activities also correlates with increased step-work and meeting attendance, strengthening the commitment to the program.
Research using mice reveals heavy alcohol use rewires brain circuitry, making it harder for alcoholics to recover psychologically following a traumatic experience. The study found that chronic exposure to alcohol impairs the ability to control emotional responses, putting people at greater risk for PTSD.
Researchers at University of Bristol found that participants drank more slowly from curved 'beer flute' glasses than straight-sided glass containing lager, suggesting curved glasses compromise ability to gauge liquid levels and pace drinking. This could have positive impact on reducing intoxication and excessive drinking.
Research suggests that binge drinking is associated with high status and happiness in college, particularly among wealthy, male, white, and Greek affiliated students. However, lower status groups experience increased social satisfaction through binge drinking.
A recent study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found a significant association between binge drinking among women and long-term unemployment. The study analyzed data from 13,031 Swedish residents and found that frequent binge drinking was a stronger predictor of problem drinking for women.
College students who started drinking early or became intoxicated quickly faced increased risks of heavy drinking and negative consequences. The study found that both early age at first drink and progression from first use to intoxication predicted later problems.
A study published online found that long-term alcohol abuse affects white matter brain volume differently for men and women. Women tend to recover their lost white matter volume more quickly than men with abstinence, while excessive drinking is associated with increased ventricular size in alcoholic women.
A study from the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions found a link between consuming caffeinated energy drinks mixed with alcohol and having casual -- often risky -- sex among college-age adults. The study suggests that mixing energy drinks with alcohol can lead to unintentional overdrinking, increasing the risk of ...
This study found that chronic alcoholism and HIV infection distinctively impact the brain systems involved in procedural learning and visual information processing. Individuals with HIV require repeated practice to achieve maximum benefit, while those with alcoholism demonstrate a consolidation effect that enhances learning over time.
A new study finds that combining community-level and campus-level approaches can decrease severe and interpersonal consequences of drinking among US college students. The approach involves partnering with local residents, city leaders, and colleges to implement environmental strategies and reduce high-risk drinking.
A study of over 9,600 children in Chile found that 80% had one or more abnormalities associated with prenatal alcohol exposure, with functional neurologic impairment being the most frequent. This highlights the importance of considering prenatal alcohol exposure as a potential risk factor for functional deficits in offspring.
A recent study by the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry found that binge drinking in older adults is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline. Participants who reported binge drinking at least once a month were 62% more likely to experience significant declines in cognitive function and memory.
A significant association has been found between alcohol dependence and genetic variations on chromosome 5q13.2, a region containing genes implicated in rare neurological disorders. The study, using genotyping arrays, identified two copy number variations (CNVs) that were associated with AD.
A recent study found that a high proportion of smokers calling quitlines also drank at hazardous levels, making it difficult for them to quit. Quitlines can be a valuable resource in reaching these individuals and providing brief alcohol interventions.
The International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research (IJADR) aims to address the lack of addiction research in low- and middle-income countries by publishing peer-reviewed papers on cross-cultural perspectives. The journal offers a mentoring program for non-native English researchers, further enhancing its unique features.
A McLean Hospital study found that an herbal extract from the Chinese herb kudzu significantly reduces drinking and slows the pace of consumption. The study's lead author suggests that puerarin, a key component of the kudzu root, may be useful in treating alcoholism and curbing binge drinking.
A new study examining male twins from a veteran population found a strong relationship between early alcohol use, alcohol dependence, daily nicotine use, and fewer years of educational attainment. The study controlled for familial influences, suggesting that substance use may directly impact academic success.
A study found that neighborhoods with higher densities of on-premise alcohol outlets, such as bars and restaurants, have higher rates of violent crimes compared to those with lower densities. In contrast, off-premise outlets like liquor stores and convenience stores showed a weaker relationship between outlet density and crime.
Researchers from Norway created a scale to measure Facebook addiction, finding it more common among younger users and those with anxiety and social insecurity. The study also reveals that people with high extraversion scores are at greater risk of developing delayed sleep-wake rhythms.
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 adolescents are more likely to drink when their peers have pro-alcohol norms, but less likely when they have anti-alcohol norms. Popular peers' anti-alcohol views were most influential in reducing drinking behavior.
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.
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.
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 meta-analysis of LSD trials found that 59% of patients showed improvement in alcohol misuse, with lasting effects for at least six months. LSD interacts with serotonin receptors to stimulate new connections and open the mind, offering a promising treatment approach for alcoholism.
A study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology found that a single dose of LSD improved outcomes for 59% of patients compared to 38% of those receiving other treatments. Patients who received LSD showed greater self-acceptance, openness and motivation to address their alcohol problem.
Researchers have discovered a crucial link between mitochondrial function and heart damage caused by chronic alcoholism. Using electron microscopic tomography, the team created the first 3D images of mitochondria, revealing tiny tethers linking them to another cell compartment where calcium is stored.
Research reveals that drinking alcohol induces significant brain atrophy and specific shrinkage in cerebral cortex and thalamus in genetically vulnerable mice. The findings support the protective role of dopamine D2 receptors against alcohol-induced brain damage.
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 finds that varenicline increases the negative effects of alcohol and decreases drug liking in heavy-to-moderate social drinkers. This effect could reduce bingeing and other forms of abuse. Varenicline may be an effective treatment for individuals with both nicotine and alcohol dependence.
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 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.
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.
Researchers at IUPUI have created a line of lab mice that prefer alcohol over water and binge drink like humans. These mice can reach blood-alcohol levels of over 260mg/dl, allowing scientists to study the genetic and behavioral determinants of alcoholism.
A Scripps Research Institute study found that an anti-stress peptide can prevent and reverse some cellular effects of acute alcohol and alcohol dependence in animal models. The researchers suggest that drugs derived from this peptide could play a role in treating complex disease.
A new study by University at Buffalo researchers has found that freshman women who start binge drinking in college are at a higher risk of experiencing sexual assault. Nearly half of young women who never drank heavily in high school admitted to binge drinking within their first college semester.
A study of 437 young women found that nearly half who never drank heavily in high school admitted to binge drinking by the end of their first college semester. Binge drinking was linked to an increased risk of sexual victimization, regardless of previous drinking habits. Parents are urged to talk with their children about drinking befo...
Rutgers University has received a $10 million grant to explore the genetic and environmental factors leading to alcoholism. The four-year study will collect saliva samples from over 46,000 individuals across the US and conduct DNA extraction and genotyping to identify risk factors.
The 2011 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey reveals declining teen smoking rates, with 9% of students smoking cigarettes compared to 12% in 2009. Binge drinking and driving after cannabis use remain concerns, with 22% of teens reporting hazardous drinking behaviors and 16% being drunk or high at school.
Researchers found a rare gene called NRXN3 plays an important role in brain development and neuron functions, linked to impulsivity and substance abuse. The study suggests this genetic connection may be more prevalent among men than women.
A specific gene variant is associated with a higher risk of premature death and relapse among alcohol-dependent individuals. Research found that carriers of this variant are 10 times more likely to die prematurely compared to the general population.
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.
Researchers identified the orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortex as key players in impaired decision making, leading to addictive and compulsive behavior. The study's findings may pave the way for more targeted treatments for substance abuse and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
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.
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.
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.
A study published in American Sociological Review found that teenage drinking habits are influenced more by their date's friends than their own. The presence of prior drinking among the friend increases the odds of future binge drinking by 80%, while the date's drinking habits have a lower impact, increasing binge drinking by 32%.
A recent study published in the American Sociological Review found that adolescents are more susceptible to drinking habits of their romantic partner's friends than their own friends or significant others. This influence can be either positive or negative, depending on whether the partner's friends drink heavily.
Native American communities have the highest alcohol-related death rates, but how and why this is prevalent remains unclear. The new five-year MERIT award will investigate early underage drinking's impact on risk for alcoholism and develop culturally relevant treatment programs.
Researchers at UCLA discovered that a gene variant can predict the success of naltrexone treatment for alcoholism in Asians. The OPRM1 gene variant is associated with better clinical outcomes when taking naltrexone, making it an effective medication option for this population.
Researchers found that people born after World War II are more likely to engage in heavy episodic drinking and develop alcoholism. The study highlights the need for specific public health prevention and intervention efforts, particularly for young women who face unique health risks due to their smaller body size.
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 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 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.