Numerous studies use in vivo microdialysis as a quantification method for studying dynamical alterations of extracellular neurotransmitter concentrations in specific brain regions of various species following acute and chronic administration of ethanol (EtOH). A major focus of these investigations is the EtOH-induced effects on the neurochemistry of forebrain regions, particularly
Global Ethanol-Induced Enhancements of Monoaminergic Neurotransmission: A Meta-Analysis Study
Numerous studies use in vivo microdialysis as a quantification method for studying dynamical alterations of extracellular neurotransmitter concentrations in specific brain regions of various species following acute and chronic administration of ethanol (EtOH). A major focus of these investigations is the EtOH-induced effects on the neurochemistry of forebrain regions, particularly
GAPC2013 - - - Alcohol, Civil Society and Public Health: From Local and National Action to Global Change
The next Global Alcohol Policy Conference (GAPC) that will be held on October 7-9 in Seoul (Republic of Korea) aims to promote evidence-based alcohol policy through cross sector participation free from commercial interest and advance the implementation of the Global Strategy to Reduce Harmful Use of Alcohol at national and sub-national level.
The GAPC 2013 is co-hosted by the Global Alcohol
Online Conference on Digital Alcohol Marketing 2013
Developments in digital alcohol marketing have gone rapidly as alcohol marketers adapt to keep up with the latest trends and technologies. Consequently, there is a need for up-to-date evidence based policy measures.
To ring the alarm bell, close the gap in the literature and publicize much needed policy recommendations, EUCAM is dedicating its first online conference on the subject of digital
Time-course of behavioural changes induced by ethanol in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
The zebrafish has been proposed for the study of the effects of ethanol on the vertebrate brain. Behavioural tests have been successfully employed in the phenotypical characterization of these effects. However, the short scale (minute to minute) time course of ethanol induced changes of zebrafish behaviour has not been analyzed.
The current study alleviates this need using a 2 × 3 chronic ×
New onset alcohol dependence linked to treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Genetic and environmental factors influence the development of alcohol
dependence and alcohol dependence increases the risk of developing Major
Depressive Disorder-MDD (vice versa). Amongst antidepressants, the selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are likely the most frequently prescribed
for MDD. However, findings on the role of SSRIs in alleviating alcoholism are
conflicting.
The alcohol evidence matrix: evidence map of alcohol treatment
The Alcohol Matrix has been developed by Drug and Alcohol Findings for the Substance Misuse Skills Consortium. The Matrix is concerned with the treatment of alcohol-related problems among adults (a similar table deals with drug-related problems). The alcohol matrix can be found here. > > > > Read More
Physicians in Long-Term Recovery Who Are Members of Alcoholics Anonymous
There is little empirical literature on the experience in sobriety of long-term, committed members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
Studies on the experience of long-term members, however, can yield a better understanding of the role of spirituality in AA membership, and how the program helps stabilize abstinence.
We studied 144 physicians at a conference of doctors in AA.
The Acute Effects of Alcohol on Sleep Architecture in Late Adolescence
Alcohol consumption is prevalent in late adolescence; however, little is known about its effect on sleep in this group. In mature adults, alcohol decreases sleep onset latency (SOL) and sleep efficiency (SE) and increases wake after sleep onset (WASO). It also increases slow wave sleep (SWS) and decreases rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in the first half of the night, with the inverse occurring
Suppression and Epigenetic Regulation of MiR-9 Contributes to Ethanol Teratology: Evidence from Zebrafish and Murine Fetal Neural Stem Cell Models
Fetal alcohol exposure produces multiorgan defects, making it difficult to identify underlying etiological mechanisms. However, recent evidence for ethanol (EtOH) sensitivity of the miRNA miR-9 suggests one mechanism, whereby EtOH broadly influences development. We hypothesized that loss of miR-9 function recapitulates aspects of EtOH teratology.
Zebrafish embryos were exposed to EtOH
Chronic Alcohol Consumption Increases the Expression of Uncoupling Protein-2 and -4 in the Brain
Chronic alcohol consumption leads to oxidative stress in a variety of cells, especially in brain cells because they have a reduced oxidative metabolism of alcohol. Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are anion channels of the inner mitochondrial membrane, which can decouple internal respiration. “Mild uncoupling” of the mitochondrial respiratory chain leads to a reduced production of free radicals (
Pretreatment Alcohol Drinking Goals are Associated with Treatment Outcomes
A large subset of patients who enter treatment for alcohol dependence report nonabstinent drinking goals (e.g., reduction in drinking) rather than abstinence, and this pretreatment goal choice may be associated with drinking outcomes and alcohol-related problems.
An analysis of the 16-week Combined Pharmacotherapies and Behavioral Interventions (COMBINE) study was conducted to determine the
Critique 115: Potential association of alcohol consumption with diverticulosis — 25 June 2013
Forum Comments
The etiology of diverticulosis of the colon is poorly understood. Many, but not all, studies suggest that low fiber intake and obesity increase the risk. The large Health Professional Follow-up Study of almost 50,000 subjects found a lower risk to be associated with increased physical exercise and the intake of soluble fiber, and no increase from alcohol consumption.
Alcohol Consumption Is a Risk Factor for Colonic Diverticulosis
The exact factors predisposing to colonic diverticulosis other than age are
unknown.
Cross-sectional study of asymptomatic subjects undergoing screening
colonoscopy. A detailed dietary and social questionnaire was completed on all
participants. A worldwide review of the literature was performed to further
investigate any association between identified risk factors and
diverticulosis.
Global Actions: Commitments to Reduce Harmful Drinking. June 26, 2013
Global Actions in Focus
Global actions drink driving initiative: vietnam
As part of Phase Two of the Global Actions on Harmful Drinking Drink Driving Initiative work plan, two site surveys were completed on June 13 and 15, 2013 in Ho Chi Minh City and Long An Province, Vietnam. Working in conjunction with the Provincial Traffic Safety Council (TSC) executive office, members of the
Investigating Parental Monitoring, School And Family Influences On Adolescent Alcohol Use
This study report has been published by Alcohol Research UK which is based on the first five years of the Belfast Youth Development study which is a Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Drug Use . The findings of this study are of importance to the academic understanding of adolescent development and alcohol use, and to the field of alcohol harm reduction, family support, and youth alcohol policy.
NIAAA Spectrum June 2013
IN THIS ISSUE
FEATURES
Antismoking Medication Shows Promise for Treating Alcohol Dependence
Brain Patterns May Help Predict Relapse Risk for Alcoholism
BY THE NUMBERS
Excessive Alcohol Use and Liver Disease
NEWS FROM THE FIELD
Children of Military Families at Increased Risk for Substance Use
How Does Drinking Alcohol Affect Food Choices?
Freshman-Year
Emergency Department–Based Brief Intervention to Reduce Risky Driving and Hazardous/Harmful Drinking in Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Risky driving and hazardous drinking are associated with significant human and economic costs. Brief interventions for more than one risky behavior have the potential to reduce health-compromising behaviors in populations with multiple risk-taking behaviors such as young adults. Emergency department (ED) visits provide a window of opportunity for interventions meant to reduce both risky
Alpha-Lipoic Acid Reduces Ethanol Self-Administration in Rats
The main system of central ethanol (EtOH) oxidation is mediated by the enzyme catalase. By reacting with H2O2, brain catalase forms compound I (the catalase-H2O2 system), which is able to oxidize EtOH to acetaldehyde (ACD) in the brain. We have previously shown that ACD regulates EtOH motivational properties and possesses reinforcing effects by itself. In this study, we investigate the effects
Binge Drinking–Induced Subtle Myocardial Injury
Most of the clinical, histopathological, and biochemical studies consider the effect of chronic alcohol intoxication on myocardial injury. Much less attention has been paid to acute alcohol (binge drinking)–induced cardiotoxicity, even though alcohol binging is much more common than alcohol dependence.
We briefly present some of the binge drinking–induced “holiday heart” effects. The
Loss of Control of Alcohol Use and Severity of Alcohol Dependence in Non-Treatment-Seeking Heavy Drinkers Are Related to Lower Glutamate in Frontal White Matter
The development and maintenance of alcohol use disorders (AUD) have been hypothesized to be associated with an imbalance of glutamate (GLU) homeostasis. White matter (WM) loss, especially in anterior brain regions, has been reported in alcohol dependence, which may involve disturbances in both myelin and axonal integrity. Frontal lobe dysfunction plays an important role in addiction, because it
Institute of Alcohol Studies launch new website & latest Alcohol Alert
The Institure of Alcohol Studies (IAS) has launched a new website www.ias.org.uk and twitter account to support its aim of 'advocating for the use of scientific evidence in policy-making to reduce alcohol-related harm'.
The IAS produce reports on key alcohol policy areas and also a regular 'Alcohol Alert' magazine - see below for some of the features in the current issue. > > > > Read
The role of α-synuclein in the pathophysiology of alcoholism
Alcoholism has complex etiology and there is evidence for both genetic and environmental factors in its pathophysiology. Chronic, long-term alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence are associated with neuronal loss with the prefrontal cortex being particularly susceptible to neurotoxic damage.
This brain region is involved in the development and persistence of alcohol addiction and neurotoxic
Efficacy and the Strength of Evidence of U.S. Alcohol Control Policies
Public policy can limit alcohol consumption and its associated harm, but no direct comparison of the relative efficacy of alcohol control policies exists for the U.S.
To identify alcohol control policies and develop quantitative ratings of their efficacy and strength of evidence.\
In 2010, a Delphi panel of ten U.S. alcohol policy experts identified and rated the efficacy of alcohol
The molecular features of tongue epithelium treated with the carcinogen 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4-NQO) and alcohol as a model for HNSCC.
Cancer of the head and neck (HNSCC) is the sixth most common type of cancer affecting humans worldwide. To determine the potential mechanisms by which chronic tobacco and alcohol abuse lead to HNSCC of the oral cavity, we have used both the 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4-NQO) murine oral carcinogenesis and the Meadows-Cook alcohol models.
In this study, we
Ethanol Consumption Increases Endothelin-1 Expression and Reactivity in the Rat Cavernosal Smooth Muscle
We investigated the effects of chronic ethanol consumption on the cavernosal smooth muscle (CSM) reactivity to endothelin-1 (ET-1) and the expression of ET system components in this tissue.
Male Wistar rats were treated with heavy dose of ethanol (20% v/v) for 6 weeks. Reactivity experiments were performed in the isolated rat CSM. Plasma and CSM
Metabolic Abnormalities in Lobar and Subcortical Brain Regions of Abstinent Polysubstance Users: Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging
The aim of the study was to explore neurometabolic and associated cognitive characteristics of patients with polysubstance use (PSU) in comparison with patients with predominant alcohol use using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Brain metabolite concentrations were examined in lobar and subcortical brain regions of three age-matched groups: 1-month-abstinent
reade more...
Brain metabolite concentrations were examined in lobar and subcortical brain regions of three age-matched groups: 1-month-abstinent
Alcohol Outlet Density and Violence: The Role of Risky Retailers and Alcohol-Related Expenditures
The aim of the study was to assess the association between alcohol outlet density and violence controlling for alcohol expenditures and the density of other retailers.
Cross-sectional ecological study of 1816 block groups in Philadelphia. We obtained 2010 data for aggravated assaults, alcohol outlets, alcohol expenditures, business points, land use and
Acetaldehyde reinforcement and motor reactivity in newborns with or without a prenatal history of alcohol exposure
Animal models have shown that early ontogeny seems to be a period of enhanced affinity to ethanol. Interestingly, the catalase system that transforms ethanol (EtOH) into acetaldehyde (ACD) in the brain, is more active in the perinatal rat compared to adults. ACD has been found to share EtOH's behavioral effects.
The general purpose of the present study was to assess ACD motivational and motor
Gene specific modifications unravel ethanol and acetaldehyde actions
Ethanol is metabolized into acetaldehyde mainly by the action of alcohol dehydrogenase in the liver, while mainly by the action of catalase in the brain. Aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 metabolizes acetaldehyde into acetate in both organs. Gene specific modifications reviewed here show that an increased liver generation of acetaldehyde (by transduction of a gene coding for a high-activity liver
Acetaldehyde involvement in ethanol's postabsortive effects during early ontogeny
Clinical and biomedical studies sustains the notion that early ontogeny is a vulnerable window to the impact of alcohol. Experiences with the drug during these stages increase latter disposition to prefer, use or abuse ethanol.
This period of enhanced sensitivity to ethanol is accompanied by a high rate of activity in the central catalase system, which metabolizes ethanol in the brain.
Disruption of alcohol-related memories by mTORC1 inhibition prevents relapse
Relapse to alcohol abuse is an important clinical issue that is frequently caused by cue-induced drug craving. Therefore, disruption of the memory for the cue-alcohol association is expected to prevent relapse. It is increasingly accepted that memories become labile and erasable soon after their reactivation through retrieval during a memory reconsolidation process that depends on protein
Elucidating the Biological Basis for the Reinforcing Actions of Alcohol in the Mesolimbic Dopamine System: The Role of Active Metabolites of Alcohol
The development of successful pharmacotherapeutics for the treatment of alcoholism is predicated upon understanding the biological action of alcohol.
A limitation of the alcohol research field has been examining the effects of alcohol only and ignoring the multiple biological active metabolites of alcohol. The concept that alcohol is a ‘pro-drug’ is not new.
Ethanol is readily
FTC Approves Modified Final Order Settling Charges against Marketer of Four Loko Malt Beverage
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has finalized a modified Order settling charges against Phusion Projects, LLC, and its principals for falsely claiming that a 23.5-ounce can of Four Loko contains the alcohol equivalent of one or two regular 12-ounce beers, and that a consumer could drink one entire can safely on a single occasion. > > > > Read More
Alcohol News - 25/2013
BNN News (Latvia) - Alcohol buyers under the
age of 25 will be required to present Ids
The Latvian Saeima has approved amendments to
the Alcohol Circulation Law that will limit alcohol consumption rates among
young people. Amendments state that buyers of alcoholic drinks who are 18 to 25
years old will be obligated to present IDs when buying alcohol.
Read
more
Committee on National Alcohol Policy and Action
11th meeting of the Committee on National Alcohol Policy and ActionLuxembourg, 22 May 2013
Presentations
Joint Action to support Member States in taking forward work on common priorities in line with the EU Alcohol Strategy(2 MB)Patrícia Pissarra,SICAD, Portugal
Alcohol issues in the Northern Dimension Partnership in Public Health and Social well-being(2 MB)Bernt Bull,Ministry of
A Prospective Assessment of Reports of Drinking to Self-medicate Mood Symptoms With the Incidence and Persistence of Alcohol Dependence
To evaluate the hypothesis that alcohol self-medication of mood symptoms increases the probability of subsequent onset and the persistence or chronicity of alcohol dependence.
Prospective study using face-to-face interviews—the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions.
Nationally representative survey of the US population.
Drinkers at risk for alcohol dependence among
Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Health: Current Evidence Current Issue: May–June 2013
Interventions and Assessments
Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention not Effective in Clinical Practice
Systematic Screening Is More Effective than Targeted Screening at Engaging Primary Care Patients in Discussions about Alcohol, Especially Those with Lower Risk Use
Health Outcomes
Update on the Association between Alcohol Consumption, Cognitive Functioning, and Dementia
Alcohol Consumption Negates Estrogen-mediated Myocardial Repair in Ovariectomized Mice by Inhibiting Endothelial Progenitor Cell Mobilization and Function
We have shown previously that estrogen (estradiol, E2) supplementation enhances voluntary alcohol consumption in ovariectomized female rodents and that increased alcohol consumption impairs ischemic hind limb vascular repair.
However, the effect of E2-induced alcohol consumption on post-infarct myocardial repair and on the phenotypic/functional
Personality disorders and the prediction of alcohol use outcomes for women: Dimensional versus categorical classification
The impending shift in the fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders from categorical to a hybrid categorical-dimensional diagnosis scheme has generated considerable interest in the relative merits of these respective approaches. This is particularly true for the diagnostically complex category of personality disorders (PDs).
The present study
Combining alcohol and energy drinks: An examination of psychosocial constructs and alcohol outcomes among college students using a longitudinal design
Combining alcohol and energy drinks (e.g., Red Bull and vodka) is a significant problem on college campuses. To date, few studies have examined psychosocial constructs specific to alcohol-energy drink cocktail (AmED) consumption that could be amenable to change via prevention efforts targeting this population.
The aim of the current study was to examine differences in AmED-specific
Join the Voices for Recovery: Together on Pathways to Wellness 2013 Recovery Month Toolkit
Assists in planning Recovery Month events and has resources to distribute in
communities and during local events that support people with substance use
disorders and mental illness. Discusses media and targeted outreach and provides
real examples of people in recovery.
Read Full Toolkit
Patients with early arthritis consume less alcohol than controls, regardless of the type of arthritis
There are conflicting reports concerning the association between alcohol consumption and RA. We performed a case–control study to investigate the association of alcohol consumption with RA as well as with other forms of arthritis. To assess whether alcohol consumption affects long-term disease outcome, we also investigated its association with
Alcohol misuse and relationship breakdown: Findings from a longitudinal birth cohort
This study examined the associations between measures of alcohol abuse/dependence (AAD) and relationship dissolution from ages 19 to 30 in a New Zealand birth cohort.
The outcome measure was self-reported breakdown of a marital/cohabiting relationship during each year from age 20–21 to age 29–30. The study also used contemporaneous and one-year lagged measures of AAD symptoms; and
The relationship between group size, intoxication and continuing to drink after bar attendance
The present study was undertaken to explore multilevel determinants of planning to continue to drink alcohol after leaving public drinking events. We assessed whether individual-level factors, group-related factors, or event-level bar characteristics were associated with post-bar drinki
We recruited a total of 642 participants from 30 participating bars in urban Southern California.
Alcohol and NMDA receptor: current research and future direction
The brain is one of the major targets of alcohol actions. Most of the excitatory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system is mediated by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors.
However, one of the most devastating effects of alcohol leads to brain shrinkage, loss of nerve cells at specific regions through a mechanism involving excitotoxicity, oxidative stress.
Earlier studies
Experimental model of alcohol-related peripheral neuropathy
The aim of this work was to determine the effect of chronic alcohol exposure on peripheral nerves in a nutritionally balanced rat model of alcoholism.
Three different strains of adult male rats were pair-fed for 8 weeks with isocaloric liquid diets containing 0% or 37% ethanol. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) were performed. Peripheral nerve and muscle were examined histologically with
Co-occurring Mental Health and Alcohol Misuse: Dual Disorder Symptoms in Combat Injured Veterans
Service members face difficulties during military deployment potentially resulting in morbidities such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and alcohol misuse. The co-occurrence of alcohol misuse and mental health disorders is termed dual disorder and has been associated with adverse outcomes.
The study included 812 high-risk (i.e., endorsing combat exposure with documented
Parental Monitoring and Alcohol Use among Mexican Students
Parental monitoring has been described as a protective factor and useful strategy to prevent substance misuse among youths.
The aims of this study were to examine whether perceived parental monitoring influences frequency of alcohol use, age of drinking onset and risky drinking among entering public high school and university students in Mexico City.
The study is a cross-sectional survey of
The protective effect of alcohol on developing rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Our aim was to establish whether alcohol protects against RA development and to determine whether this effect is influenced by alcohol dose, duration and serological status through systematically reviewing the literature and undertaking a meta-analysis.
We searched Medline/EMBASE (1946 to July 2012) using the terms rheumatoid arthritis.mp or arthritis, rheumatoid/ and
Associations of Alcohol Use with Radiographic Disease Progression in African Americans with Recent-onset Rheumatoid Arthritis
To investigate the associations of alcohol consumption and radiographic disease progression in African Americans with recently diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Patients with RA included in the study were participants in the Consortium for the Longitudinal Evaluation of African Americans with Early Rheumatoid
Obstacles to alcohol and drug care Are Medicare Locals the answer?
Harms related to alcohol and drug use have an enormous cost on the community, yet most patients with substance use disorders do not receive care from primary healthcare providers. The establishment of a system of large primary healthcare organisations (Medicare Locals) across Australia provides an opportunity to address this service gap.
This article considers barriers to delivering alcohol
Kenya: Nyanza Drug and Alcohol Abuse Worries NACADA
Young people in Nyanza have been told to desist from drug abuse and engage in productive activities that will change their lives.
National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug chief executive officer, William Okedi said there is high rate of drug abuse in the region with Nyanza recording a big increase of bhang use from 1.4 to 1.7 percent in 2012, according to the 2012 NACADA
A review of patients who died with alcohol-related liver disease: report calls for improved prevention and treatment
A review of patients who died with alcohol-related liver disease has been released by the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcomes and Death (NCEPOD). The report calls for improvements in alcohol brief intervention (IBA), access to treatment, alcohol care teams and improved pathways across hospitals.
Download the full report Alcohol Related Liver Disease: Measuring the Units (
Global Actions: Commitments to Reduce Harmful Drinking. June 20, 2013
Global Actions in Focus
Pernod Ricard: responsib’all day 2013
The Global Actions newsletter will periodically feature best practices shared by our readers, including companies that are signatories of the Beer, Wine and Spirits Producers’ Commitments to Reduce Harmful Drinking. In this issue, we focus on Pernod Ricard and its work in one of the five key areas addressed by
Acute Use of Alcohol and Methods of Suicide in a US National Sample
We explored age, gender, and racial/ethnic differences with alcohol use and firearms, hanging or asphyxiation, and poisoning methods of suicide.
We analyzed data for 37 993 suicide decedents aged 18 years and older from the 2005–2010 National Violent Death Reporting System database. Multinomial logistic regressions examined associations of method with alcohol use defined by blood
Genetic Variants in the Fat Mass- and Obesity-Associated (FTO) Gene are Associated with Alcohol Dependence
Variants (such as rs9939609) in the fat mass- and obesity-associated (FTO) gene have been associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and alcohol consumption.
This study tested the associations of 167 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within FTO gene with alcohol dependence (AD) using two Caucasian samples: the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (
THE IMPACT OF MENTAL AND SUBSTANCE-USE DISORDERS ON EMPLOYMENT TRANSITIONS
The cyclic nature of serious mental illness (SMI) and substance-use disorders (SUD) suggests that persons with these conditions may experience high rates of transitions among employment states (full-time, part-time, and no employment).
This study uses longitudinal data from two waves of the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcoholism and Related Conditions to examine employment transitions
αCaMKII autophosphorylation controls the establishment of alcohol-induced conditioned place preference in mice
The autophosphorylation of alpha Ca2+/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (αCaMKII) is important for memory formation and is becoming increasingly implicated in the development of drug addiction. Previous work suggests that αCaMKII acts via the monoaminergic systems to facilitate the establishment of alcohol drinking behaviour.
The present study aims to investigate whether αCaMKII
Alcohol exposure during late ovine gestation alters fetal liver iron homeostasis without apparent dysmorphology
High levels of alcohol (ethanol) exposure during fetal life can affect liver development and can increase susceptibility to infection after birth.
Our aim was to determine the effects of a moderate level of ethanol exposure in late gestation on the morphology, iron status, and inflammatory status of the ovine fetal liver. Pregnant ewes were
Prenatal alcohol exposure and childhood balance ability: findings from a UK birth cohort study
To investigate the association of prenatalalcohol exposure with balance in10-year-old children.
Population-based prospective longitudinal study.
Former Avon region of UK (SouthwestEngland).
6915 children from the Avon
Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children who had a balance assessment at age 10 and had data on maternal alcohol consumption.
3 composite balance scores:
First Sips of Alcohol Start in Second Grade
The age at which many children in the U.S. take their first sip of alcohol is surprisingly young, finds a new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh collected data from 452 children in one Pennsylvania county each year from ages 8 and a half through 18. The children were asked how old they were when they first sipped or tasted alcohol, had a
Characterization of Functional Polymorphisms and Glucocorticoid-Responsive Elements in the Promoter of TDO2, a Candidate Gene for Ethanol-Induced Behavioural Disorders
In response to acute ethanol consumption, tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) induces the kynurenine pathway (KP) through a glucocorticoid-mediated mechanism, which could lead to a dramatic accumulation of neurotoxic metabolites in association with serotonin depletion. As a result, interindividual variability in ethanol-induced behavioural disorders, such
The Association of DRD2 −141C and ANKK1 TaqIA Polymorphisms with Alcohol Dependence in Korean Population Classified by the Lesch Typology
Dopamine receptors are associated with reward and dependence towards alcohol. The polymorphisms of dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) genes have been reported to be involved in susceptibility to alcoholism. Therefore, we investigated the association of three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DRD2 and ankyrin repeat and kinase domain containing one (ANKK1
Maternal Factors Predicting Cognitive and Behavioral Characteristics of Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
To provide an analysis of multiple predictors of cognitive and behavioral traits
for children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs).
Multivariate correlation techniques were used with maternal and child
data from epidemiologic studies in a community in South Africa. Data on 561
first-grade children with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), partial FAS (PFAS), and
not FASD and their
Californians drinking less beer, more wine, spirits
California adults now drink, on average, less than a gallon of ethanol from beer each year. They're making up for it by drinking more wine and distilled spirits.
California beer consumption per adult fell 12 percent from 1998 to 2010, according to the latest federal statistics.
Over that same period California wine consumption per adult grew by 22 percent, while distilled spirits consumption
Alcohol-use disorders during and within one year of pregnancy: a population-based cohort study 1985–2006
To examine alcohol-use disorders in pregnant women and the extent of under-reporting.
Population-based cohort study.
Western Australia.
Women with a birth recorded on the Western Australian Midwives Notification System (1985–2006).
Mothers with an International Classification of Diseases 9/10 alcohol-related diagnosis, indicating heavy alcohol consumption, recorded on
14-Deoxyandrographolide targets adenylate cyclase and prevents ethanol-induced liver injury through constitutive NOS dependent reduced redox signaling in rats
Chronic alcoholism is one of the most common causes of liver diseases worldwide. Nitric oxide (NO) has been proposed to have potential for clinical application against chronic hepatocellular injuries. However, mechanisms underlying hepatoprotective functions of NO in ethanol-induced apoptosis are largely unknown.
Sprauge–Dawley rats were exposed to ethanol for 8 weeks. Half of the
Latest Findings alcohol bulletins: teaching teenagers 'safe drinking'; IBA in college settings; lessons for treatment; benzos still best for withdrawal
Recent bulletins from the drug and alcohol bank:
Should we teach teenagers to drink more safely?
Official guidance for England supports 'safer drinking' lessons for teenagers, based partly on the results of an Australian curriculum, but it was unclear whether its approach and results would transfer to the UK. Now this study from Northern Ireland has confirmed that in the UK too the lessons
Alcohol intake and prognosis of atrial fibrillation patients
To assess alcohol intake as a risk factor for adverse events among patients with incident atrial fibrillation (AF).
Prospective cohort study.
Population based cohort study and nationwide Danish registries.
The Danish Diet, Cancer and Health study included 57 053 participants (27 178
Availability of convenience stores and adolescent alcohol use in Taiwan: a multilevel analysis of national surveys
To examine the association between alcohol in school environments and adolescent alcohol use over the previous 6 months.
A multilevel logistic regression analysis of cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2004, 2005, and 2006 was performed.
A total of 52,214 students aged 11 to 19 years from 387 middle or high schools were selected from a nationally representative, multistage,
The Swedish six-community alcohol and drug prevention trial: Effects on youth drinking
Local communities are increasingly targeted for alcohol and drug prevention campaigns. This study describes some of the key findings from the Swedish six-community alcohol and drug prevention trial (2003–2007) and lessons learned following an evaluation of the trial's effectiveness. The paper focuses mainly on changes in youth drinking and related harms.
This was a pre- to
Alterations in the rate of binge ethanol consumption: implications for preclinical studies in mice
The rate at which alcohol (ethanol) is consumed has direct impact on its behavioral and subjective effects. For this reason, alterations in the pattern of ethanol consumption as a function of drinking history might be critical to the development and maintenance of alcoholism.
Furthermore, because pharmacological interventions aimed at disrupting the motivation to consume ethanol are
Study of Total Antioxidant Activity of Human Serum Blood in the Pathology of Alcoholism
The total antioxidant activity (TAA) of human serum blood of patients suffering from alcoholism was tested by cathode voltammetry with a model process of oxygen electroreduction.
A known spectrophotometrical method was used for comparison. As results the total antioxidant activity of serum blood of patients with alcoholism was estimated by voltammetry during therapy in hospital.
t was
Differential Effects of Chronic and Chronic-Intermittent Ethanol Treatment and Its Withdrawal on the Expression of miRNAs
Chronic and excessive alcohol misuse results in changes in the expression of selected miRNAs and their mRNA targets in specific regions of the human brain. These expression changes likely underlie the cellular adaptations to long term alcohol misuse.
In order to delineate the mechanism by which these expression changes occur, we have measured the expression of six miRNAs including miR-7,
Ethanol Neurotoxicity in the Developing Cerebellum: Underlying Mechanisms and
Ethanol is the main constituent of alcoholic beverages that exerts toxicity to neuronal development. Ethanol affects synaptogenesis and prevents proper brain development.
In humans, synaptogenesis takes place during the third trimester of pregnancy, and in rodents this period corresponds to the initial few weeks of postnatal development. In this period neuronal maturation and differentiation
Cross-Lagged Associations Between Substance Use-Related Media Exposure and Alcohol Use During Middle School
This study examines the reciprocal longitudinal associations between alcohol or other drug (AOD)-related media exposure and alcohol use among middle school students, and explores whether these associations differ by ethnicity or gender.
The analytic sample is 7th grade students who were recruited from 16 California middle schools and surveyed in the spring semester of two academic years.
Adolescent Alcohol Use Reflects Community-Level Alcohol Consumption Irrespective of Parental Drinking
Risk factors for adolescent alcohol use are typically conceptualized at the individual level, and school- and community-level risk factors have received little attention. Based on the theoretical understanding of youth alcohol consumption as a reflection of community social practice, we analyzed whether adolescent drunkenness was related to community-level adult alcohol use (AAC), when taking
Types of Alcohol Use Experience From Childhood Through Adolescence
There have been few reports of the development of alcohol involvement from childhood through adolescence. We examined the ages at which children first sipped or tasted alcohol, drank, had three or more drinks in a row, had five or more drinks in a row, were drunk, or had alcohol problems, to describe the types of drinking experience exhibited at each age from 8.5 through 18.0 years. Sipping
Comorbid Alcohol and Cannabis Use Disorders Among High-Risk Youth at Intake Into Residential Care
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and cannabis use disorder (CUD) are prevalent among high-risk adolescents, such as those referred for residential care. These disorders are often comorbid, and comorbidity is associated with heightened adverse consequences compared with each disorder alone. Little is known about factors that are associated with the development of comorbid AUD and CUD. This study
TIPS Recognizes Several Corporations and Universities for Promoting Responsible Consumption of Alcohol
Health Communications, Inc. (HCI), the providers of the TIPS (Training for Intervention ProcedureS) Program, awarded the 2013 TIPS Award of Excellence to five (5) corporations and (5) higher education institutions last month. This is an award bestowed by Health Communication’s President CEO, Adam Chafetz, and is chosen by an internal committee based on both volume of TIPS training and
Alcohol News - 24/2013
Valtioneuvosto (Finland) - Minister Huovinen:
Harm caused by alcohol can be reduced
Use of alcohol and the harm caused by it have
been successfully reduced in Finland in recent years through the cooperation of
different branches of administration.
Read
more
HealthCanal (Denmark) - More elderly people
drink to excess
Increasing number of elderly people are drinking
Webinar #5: "The Role of Public Health in Preventing Underage Drinking and Excessive Drinking by Adults"
Wednersday June 26, 2013, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. EDT.
Excessive alcohol use, including underage drinking, accounts for an average of 80,000 deaths and 2.3 million Years of Potential Life Lost in the United States each year, and cost the U.S. $223.5 billion in 2006. National experts will provide an overview of recent scientific findings on underage and binge drinking in the U.S. as well as
Conference - Under Control?
Accommodation
Getting here
Registration
Temperance archives near the LSHTM
Food and drink
ADHS graduate paper prize
Fringe events
Programme
The conference will be held at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine 21-23rd June 2013.
Early Registration, an AGM of the Alcohol and Drugs History Society and an address from the President of the ADHS, Professor Scott Martin, will
Low-Dose Thyroxine Attenuates Autism-Associated Adverse Effects of Fetal Alcohol in Male Offspring's Social Behavior and Hippocampal Gene Expression.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is characterized by neurodevelopmental anomalies manifesting in cognitive and behavioral deficits in the offspring with diverse severities. Social behavior is affected in FASD, and these deficits overlap with those of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Identifying some of the molecular characteristics related to ASD in an animal model of FASD could
Testing the Effects of E-mailed Personalized Feedback on Risky Alcohol Use Among College Students
Although research utilizing the Internet to intervene with college student drinkers is growing, this study is the first to investigate the use of a theoretically-based and empirically supported personalized feedback form delivered via a single e-mail to college students.
Students (n = 191) completed measures of their alcohol use, related consequences, and peer perceptions at baseline and
Organizational Attributes and Screening and Brief Intervention in Primary Care
Overconsumption of alcohol is well known to lead to numerous health and social problems. Prevalence studies of United States adults found that 20% of patients meet criteria for an alcohol use disorder. Routine screening for alcohol use is recommended in primary care settings, yet little is known about the organizational factors that are related to successful implementation of screening, brief
Quality of Life in Veterans with Alcohol Dependence and Co-occurring Mental Illness
Quality of life is negatively impacted by diagnosis of mental illness. Those with mental illness report problems in physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and occupational functioning. This study was designed to examine changes n quality of life in veterans with dual diagnoses.
All veterans participated in a treatment study designed to treat alcohol dependence with naltrexone,
Influence from friends to drink more or drink less: A cross-national comparison
Drinking habits are socially patterned and social networks influence individuals’ drinking behaviors. Previous studies have focused primarily upon the influence from family members to drink less. Those studies that have focused upon peer influence have been largely confined to social norms among adolescent and college-age drinkers.
By contrast, based in adult populations, this article
Exploring relationships between facets of self-esteem and drinking behavior among diverse groups of young adults
Theory and empirical evidence suggest that North American-based measures of self-esteem, which measure individualistic positive self-regard, may be less applicable to Eastern cultures.
In the present exploratory study, we examined how different conceptualizations of self-esteem, as measured by the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale and the Collective Self-esteem (CSE) Scale, predicted drinking
Dorsomedial and dorsolateral striatum exhibit distinct phasic neuronal activity during alcohol self-administration in rats
The development of alcoholism may involve a shift from goal-directed to habitual drinking. These action control systems are distinct in the dorsal striatum, with the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) important for goal-directed behavior and the dorsolateral striatum (DLS) required for habit formation.
Goal-directed behavior can be modeled in rats with a fixed ratio (FR) reinforcement schedule,
FASD News - 23/2013
NEWS and ARTICLES
Medical Daily - New Drug For Autism And Fetal
Alcohol Syndrome In The Works; Could It Change Our Understanding Of These
Disorders Forever?
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and
autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are two social and behavioral disorders stemming
from altered neurological development, often beginning in the womb.
Read
more
Practice
Monitoring Population Levels of Alcohol Consumption in Pregnant Women: A Case for Using Biomarkers
A challenge to biochemically monitoring alcohol consumption in pregnancy is the prohibitive costs of collecting thousands of blood samples. This pilot study looks at the feasibility of using residual samples to monitor chronic and acute alcohol consumption in pregnancy. Residual anomalies screening samples (n = 150, 2006/7) were tested for carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT, chronic
Report to Congress on the Prevention and Reduction of Underage Drinking 2012
Reports on the prevalence and nature of underage drinking and the national
efforts and best practices to address the problem. Also reports on state
policies, enforcement activities, and prevention programs underway to address
underage drinking.
Download Digital Version
Full Report (PDF, 11 MB)