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AUD

·July 31, 2021·5 min read

Dual-Drug Therapy Shows Promise for Treating Alcohol Use Disorder

A new dual-drug therapy for alcohol use disorder appears to be effective and has fewer side effects or complications compared to other medications used to treat AUD.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 4, 2021·3 min read

Neural Roots and Origins of Alcoholism Identified

Researchers have identified a pathway in the brain responsible for the development of alcohol addiction.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 5, 2021·6 min read

Increase in Pleasurable Effects of Alcohol Over Time Can Predict Alcohol Use Disorder

People who are most sensitive to the pleasurable and rewarding effects of alcohol are at greater risk of developing alcohol use disorders.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·September 10, 2020·5 min read

Binge-Drinkers’ Brains Have to Work Harder to Feel Empathy for Others

Study reveals binge drinking is associated with more widespread neural dysfunction than previously believed. In those who binge drink, the visual areas of the brain show unusually high levels of activation. Additionally, those who binge drink have more difficulty in feeling empathy for others.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 9, 2020·4 min read

Vitamin B1 Deficiency a Key Factor in the Development of Alcohol-Related Dementia

Researchers hypothesize vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency may play a significant role in dementia associated with alcohol use disorder. It is known iron deposits in the brain contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. Those with AUD have elevated levels of both iron in their blood and thiamine deficiency. Thiamine is vital for maintaining the blood-brain barrier. Thiamine deficiency associated with AUD disrupts the integrity of the BBB, allowing for more iron deposits within the brain and leading to oxidative tissue damage.

This is a cartoon drawing of someone handing another person a bottle of wine

Featured Psychology

·August 22, 2020·5 min read

Your In-Laws’ History of Drinking Problems Could Lead to Alcohol Issues of Your Own

Study reveals a previously unrecognized family connection to alcohol use disorder, the drinking habits of a person's in-laws. People married to those who experienced parental alcohol misuse as a child are more likely to develop an addiction to alcohol, even if the spouse has no history of a personal battle with alcohol use.

Featured Psychology

·July 22, 2020·4 min read

Sweet Coolers a Gateway to Increased Alcohol Consumption

Alcoholic coolers that contain 10% alcohol and 25% high-fructose corn syrup increase the risk of problem drinking, a new study reports.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·July 21, 2020·3 min read

The Immune System Facilitates Alcohol Addiction

A new study reveals the role microglia plays in alcohol addiction, finding the immune cells alter the geometry of gray matter while under the influence of alcohol.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·June 4, 2020·4 min read

New alcohol genes uncovered

Twenty-nine genes have now been identified as being linked to problematic alcohol use. A new study report, in addition to an increased risk of alcohol use disorder, people with specific genes linked to AUD also have an increased risk of depression, insomnia, and addiction to tobacco.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 25, 2020·2 min read

Problems with alcohol? 29 gene variants may explain why

Researchers have identified 29 genetic variants linked to problematic alcohol use. Nineteen of the genes were previously unknown independent risk factors for alcohol use disorder.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 14, 2020·5 min read

Alcohol dependence results in brain-wide remodeling of functional architecture

Using a novel imaging technique, researchers produce a whole mouse brain atlas, which reveals how alcohol addiction, and abstinence, alter the functional architecture of the brain.