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AUD

·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.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·December 18, 2019·4 min read

Booze on the brain

Dysfunction in a brain pathway that usually keeps compulsive drinking in check may play a critical role in alcohol use disorder.

Featured Neuroscience

·December 13, 2019·5 min read

Scientists discover key neural circuit regulating alcohol consumption

Specific neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala regulate alcohol consumption.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·November 26, 2019·5 min read

One shot of ketamine could reduce problem drinking

A single shot of ketamine administered to heavy drinkers following reactivation of their drinking memories led to a rapid decrease in the urge to drink. The effect lasted for over nine months.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 22, 2019·3 min read

What leads to compulsive alcohol use?

A network linking the medial prefrontal cortex and brainstem plays a critical role in the development of compulsive drinking disorder and is a driver for its expression.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 18, 2019·3 min read

Adolescent drinking increases anxiety and alcohol abuse risk later in life

Teenage binge drinking is linked to altered gene expression in the brain, specifically the central nucleus of the amygdala. Adolescent rats exposed to alcohol had increased levels of miR-137, resulting in lower expression of proteins essential for healthy neuron growth. During adulthood, these rats displayed higher levels of anxiety and an increased preference for alcohol consumption.

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·November 18, 2019·3 min read

Ketamine reduces drinking in male rats, but not females

Ketamine reduced alcohol intake in male rat models of alcohol use disorder but increased the desire for alcohol in low-consumption females.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 31, 2019·5 min read

One in Ten older adults currently binge drinks

As many as one in ten older adults frequently binge drink, a new study reports. The risk of binge drinking in older adults is higher for males and for those who smoke or use cannabis.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·July 29, 2019·2 min read

Impaired brain activity in rats with family history of alcohol abuse

Neural patterns of activity in the medial prefrontal cortex associated with the intention to drink alcohol are influenced by the genetic risk for alcohol use disorder.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·July 18, 2019·4 min read

Romantic partnerships mitigate influence of genetic predisposition to alcohol consumption

For those with a genetic predisposition for alcohol use disorder (AUD), being in a romantic relationship appears to reduce the high risk to succumbing to alcohol abuse. This protective effect is limited to males only, suggesting males with a genetic risk for AUD may benefit more from romantic relationships.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·July 2, 2019·3 min read

Brain imaging may help identify teens at risk of increasing alcohol use

Neuroimaging study reveals teens with more gray matter in the caudate nucleus and left cerebellum were at increased risk of problem alcohol use over time. The findings reinforce the idea that brain structure differences may contribute to both psychiatric and substance use disorders.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 21, 2019·4 min read

Neuroscience research questions current alcohol limit

Drinking small amounts of alcohol, like one pint of beer or a large glass of wine, significantly impairs our feeling of being in control of our actions. A new study reveals even one beer can lead to overconfidence in driving ability and make us act in inappropriate, potentially dangerous ways. The study begs the question, are current alcohol limits for driving truly safe?