Articles tagged with Alcoholism
Researchers at Scripps Research have discovered a specific neuronal population responsible for alcohol cravings, using lasers to temporarily inactivate these cells. This breakthrough may lead to the development of drug therapies or gene therapies for alcohol addiction.
A randomized trial of Smart Choices 4 Teens, an online family prevention program, found significant reductions in teen alcohol use and related problems. The program decreased drinking days, amount consumed, and parent-teen communication about social host laws.
Research suggests that adolescent binge drinking increases risk for anxiety later in life by altering brain connectivity and epigenetic programming. Abnormal epigenetic changes in the amygdala, a key emotional regulation center, can lead to lasting susceptibility to psychological issues.
Research found social anxiety disorder had strongest association with alcoholism and predicted it over other anxiety disorders. Individuals with social anxiety were at higher risk of developing later alcoholism compared to those with other anxiety disorders.
A study of 2,700 patients with ADHD found that variations in the LPHN3 gene increased the risk of nicotine dependence by 40%. The findings suggest a link between ADHD and addictive substance use, highlighting the need for new genetic tools to prevent addictive behaviors in people with ADHD.
Researchers at OHSU discovered a gene linked to lower expression in primates who consumed heavy amounts of alcohol, which reduced consumption by almost 50% when increased in mice. The study highlights a novel target for treating alcoholism and mood disorders.
A Rutgers-led study found that heavy drinking can trigger genetic changes that increase craving for alcohol. The study suggests that these changes may contribute to the powerful addiction of alcoholism and potentially lead to new treatments.
A systematic review of naltrexone found no evidence of serious side effects, contradicting common doctor concerns. The study also highlights the drug's cost-effectiveness and potential to reduce deaths from alcohol-related causes, which remain underutilized due to cultural and prescription biases.
Among American Indians and Alaska Natives, 41% have lifetime alcohol use disorder; 34% seek alcohol-related treatment. Men aged 35-64 are most likely to receive treatment, with 20.5% of non-Hispanic Whites also seeking help.
A recent study identified a gene that regulates alcohol metabolism and found associations between this gene and risk for depression and other psychiatric disorders. The study also discovered different variants in the same gene affect risk levels in European and African populations.
A new study found a clear negative correlation between climate factors and alcohol consumption, with colder regions and areas with less sunlight experiencing higher drinking rates. Climate is also tied to binge drinking and the prevalence of alcoholic liver disease, which claims many lives in patients with prolonged excessive alcohol use.
Research found that affordable housing is linked to health problems like asthma, stress, and alcoholism, especially among higher-income citizens and conservatives, who are more responsive to personal responsibility themes
Research finds a strong correlation between time spent under communism and increased alcohol intake, particularly among women. Long-term effects of communist regimes on drinking habits persist even after the Soviet Union's collapse.
A mouse study found that binge drinking makes male mice more likely to drink under stress, while female mice show no such increase. The study suggests sex differences in the brain's response to stress and alcohol consumption.
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine found that consuming one to two drinks four or more times per week increases the risk of premature death by 20%, compared to drinking three times a week or less. This increased risk was consistent across age groups and outweighed potential benefits in cardiovascular health.
Repeated binge drinking alters gene expression in the brain, affecting hormone signaling and immune function in females, while nerve signaling is impacted in males. This study highlights the importance of tailoring treatments for male and female patients with alcohol use disorder.
A US housing subsidy program may reduce adolescent girls' binge drinking but worsen boys'. The study analyzed 2829 adolescents and found a harmful effect of treatment on boys' binge drinking. The reasons for the gender difference are unclear, but further research is needed to uncover the exact mechanisms.
Researchers found that taurine in energy drinks increased fear-reducing properties of alcohol but also affected social communication in zebrafish. Mixing energy drinks and alcohol may impair judgment and increase risks of fighting and risky behaviors.
Research by Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that frequent binge drinkers had higher blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar at a younger age. Young men who binge drink have higher systolic blood pressure, while young women have higher blood sugar levels compared to non-binge drinkers.
A new mouse study reveals that binge drinking during adolescence can impair working memory and increase the risk of becoming an alcoholic in adulthood. The study found altered neuron excitability and changes in the prefrontal cortex, which may help explain why adolescents who binge drink have memory problems.
A new study found that injury crashes were more frequent in areas with more retail alcohol outlets, including bars. The research also showed that crash risks are associated with local outlet density and alcohol availability across neighboring areas.
A new study published in Journal of the American Heart Association found that young adults who frequently binge drink are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The research revealed that young men who reported repeated binge drinking had higher systolic blood pressure and cholesterol levels than non-binge drinker...
A new study by Scripps Research scientists found that activating GPR139, a receptor linked to alcohol addiction, can significantly decrease drinking in alcohol-addicted rats. The researchers also discovered that the drug helps mediate physical pain associated with withdrawal in severe cases of alcohol addiction.
Researchers found that rats who chose alcohol showed similarities to human alcohol addiction diagnostic criteria, including continued use despite negative consequences. The study identified a gene expression change in the amygdala region of the brain as key to understanding this behavior.
Young adults who use alcohol and/or marijuana are more likely to engage in condomless sex, with women being at greater risk on days with substance use. The study found that women's risk of condomless sex increased by a factor of 2.12 on alcohol use days, while men's risk was only slightly higher on dual use days.
A recent rat model study found that preconception binge drinking can negatively affect future offspring's growth, social interactions, and pubertal development. The study also discovered that these effects can be passed down through generations, highlighting the importance of parental behavior in shaping offspring's traits.
A single episode of binge drinking can alter a key gene that regulates sleep, leading to increased non-rapid eye movement sleep and reduced sleep in subsequent periods. This finding may shed light on the link between sleep disturbances and alcoholism in humans.
A study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found that teenage girls who binge drink regularly have lower bone mass, even when accounting for other factors. The researchers suggest that avoiding binge drinking may help young women reach their peak bone mass and reduce their risk of osteoporosis.
Researchers found that binding to MUNC 13-1 reduces tolerance to alcohol, making it harder to become addicted. By inhibiting this protein, a pill could be developed to reduce the formation of tolerance and alleviate alcoholism.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a new drug, JVW-1034, that targets the sigma 2 receptor to block alcohol withdrawal symptoms and cravings. In animal models, the drug has shown no obvious side effects and has been shown to reduce alcohol consumption in rats.
A recent study found that maternal binge drinking during pregnancy and lactation can impair the mental health of their offspring, leading to mood disturbances and increased vulnerability to alcohol abuse as adolescents. The research suggests that even occasional heavy drinking can have a depressive effect on the mother and pass on chan...
Texas A&M researchers discovered that inducing persistent changes in drinking behavior by manipulating neural connections may hold the key to understanding and treating alcoholism. The study found that reversing these changes could potentially lead to a decrease in alcohol consumption.
A IU-led study found that the neurotransmitter glutamate plays a role in some alcohol cravings and relapses. Glutamate levels decreased in the brains of individuals with alcohol abuse disorder after viewing cues associated with drinking.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that approximately one to five percent of first-grade children in the US have fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, rates comparable to those of autism spectrum disorders. Researchers evaluated over 6,000 children across four regions and estimated prevalence ...
A new study found that binge drinkers have higher levels of microRNA-21, which may contribute to poor vascular function and increased cardiovascular disease risk. The researchers suggest that measuring microRNA-21 could help identify patients at risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
A Baylor University study found that combining biological and non-biological beliefs about mental illness causes can lead to increased stigma. The researchers suggest that addressing these complex views in public campaigns and policy initiatives could help reduce stigma, particularly for conditions like depression and schizophrenia.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded $8 million to establish a new center for research into alcohol addiction. The Wake Forest Translational Alcohol Research Center will study behavioral and neurobiological factors associated with vulnerability and resilience to alcohol use disorder.
A simple blood test for phosphatidylethanol (PEth) can accurately identify critically ill hospital patients who misuse alcohol. The test has been found to be 88.7% accurate in identifying participants with alcohol misuse, with a level of at least 250 ng/ml being a useful cut-point.
A recent study has discovered a potential treatment for adult alcohol dependence caused by teenage binge drinking behavior. Researchers found that a specific drug can prevent the detrimental effects of adolescent binge drinking on brain development and reduce alcohol consumption in adulthood.
The study aims to determine whether evening binge drinking causes sleep apnea, neural disregulation and abnormal rhythms in blood pressure. Researchers will also examine how menstrual phases affect women's bodies and explore the impact of CPAP on negative effects.
Research suggests that binge drinking habits, rather than the amount consumed, can negatively impact a college graduate's chances of landing a job. The study found that heavy drinkers had a 10% lower probability of finding employment compared to non-binge drinkers.
Researchers found distinctive changes in brain activity of young binge-drinking college students, which may indicate early signs of brain damage. The study suggests that bingeing has tangible effects on the young brain, comparable with those seen in chronic alcoholics.
A study by Georgia State University and Purdue University found that acute alcohol intoxication amplifies the link between heavy drinking patterns and intimate partner aggression. Impulsive individuals are more likely to commit violence when intoxicated, as they focus on emotional cues in the situation.
Research found binge drinking rates decrease among college students from 42% to 37% between 1999 and 2014. However, rates increase in non-college young adults from 36% to 40% during the same period. Interventions and policy changes may contribute to the decline in college students' binge drinking rates.
A study found that substance use, particularly binge drinking and cocaine, is associated with cognitive impairments such as attention deficits and executive functioning issues. Cognitive impairments were also linked to daily life difficulties, impeding treatment utilization, and decreased effectiveness of treatment.
A new study reveals that college students with disabilities are more likely to engage in binge drinking, with 70% reporting binge drinking at least once in the previous year. The study's findings highlight the need for targeted prevention efforts for this underserved population.
A new study provides further evidence for the genetic factors underlying addictions, linking dysfunction of the CSNK1E gene to increased opioid addiction susceptibility and binge eating vulnerability. The findings suggest that shared genetic factors may underlie behavioral traits associated with addictions and eating disorders.
A new IUPUI study found that African-Americans in lower-income brackets have a lower risk of binge drinking during adolescence, but a higher risk at older ages. Higher incomes show comparable risks across racial groups.
A study published in BMC Public Health found that high alcohol consumption from age 16 to 43 is linked to higher blood glucose levels in women, while men's consumption did not show the same association. The long-term study of over 900 participants revealed an important risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry suggests that the MMP-9 enzyme plays a crucial role in motivation for alcohol consumption. Researchers found that mice lacking this enzyme were less motivated to drink and exhibited reduced craving during withdrawal. This discovery may lead to the development of novel treatments targeting ...
The position paper advocates for 'alternative-to-discipline' approaches, incorporating specialized treatment and return-to-practice programs. ATD strategies aim to retain, rehabilitate, and reintegrate nurses into safe professional practice.
A study published in Psychiatry Research Neuroimaging found that the reward system in women's brains is larger than in nonalcoholic women and smaller in alcoholic women than in nonalcoholic men. The study also showed a negative association between sobriety time and ventricle size, suggesting recovery from alcoholism.
A study by Laurie de Grace found that the culture of sport, particularly team sports like hockey, can increase the risk of substance addiction in elite athletes. The study revealed patterns of social acceptance, normalization of drugs and alcohol, and pressure to perform, which contribute to the development of addiction.
Researchers found that ibudilast significantly reduced craving for alcohol and improved mood in participants. The medication also showed promise in reducing the pleasurable effects of alcohol.
A new UCSF study reveals that binge drinking can cause fatty liver, inflammation and enzyme changes within seven weeks. The researchers found that even a short period of excessive drinking resulted in liver dysfunction.
A new systematic review of long-term studies found that young people exposed to more alcohol marketing are more likely to start drinking early and engage in binge drinking. The study, published in the journal Addiction, analyzed data from over 35,000 participants across seven countries.
Scientists found that Modafinil, a narcolepsy drug, reduces impulsivity in people with food addiction. The study tested 60 men and found that those who took Modafinil had significantly reduced impulsive behavior, which can lead to weight loss.
A new study suggests that male students' likelihood of becoming a perpetrator increases when they attend parties or bars more than usual. Researchers found that almost 18% admitted to sexually assaulting a woman during the study period, with frequent bar-goers being more likely to be perpetrators.
Andrew Holmes receives the ACNP Daniel H. Efron Research Award for his work on understanding the causes of alcoholism and comorbid neuropsychiatric conditions. His research has been published over 170 times, with more than 13,000 citations.
A Case Western Reserve University researcher has found that addiction treatment results improved when teens in a residential program stopped smoking. Teens who quit smoking showed lower cravings for alcohol and drugs, similar to their peers who smoked, but with better treatment duration and global functioning.