Why teenagers should NEVER get drunk: Excessive booze thins developing brains and may increase their risk of alcoholism
Adolescents that binge drink have reduced brain tissue in certain regions
Regions include those associated with reason, memory and problem solving
There is also less activity in the areas linked to learning and voluntary response
Drinking while brains are maturing may permanently harm the nervous system
Researchers believe it is important to raise awareness of the risks of drinking
Source: Daily Mail
By Alexandra Thompson
19 July 2017
Excessive drinking during adolescence thins areas of the developing brain, new research reveals.
Teenagers that binge or heavily drink have reduced brain tissue in the regions associated with reason, logic, problem solving, planning and memory, a study found.
Researchers believe drinking large quantities of alcohol while the brain is still maturing may permanently damage a person’s nervous system and increase their risk of alcoholism.
Study author Professor Anita Cservenka from Oregon State University, said: ‘Adolescence is a time when the brain still matures including not only biological development but also maturation of psychosocial behaviors.
‘These brain alterations, as a result of heavy alcohol use during adolescence and young adulthood, could result in increased risk of developing an alcohol use disorder later on in life.’
Key findings
Researchers from Oregon State University analyzed studies that examined the effects of binge and heavy drinking in teenagers and young adults on their brain structure.
Results revealed that such drinkers have thinner brain tissue in the regions associated with reason, logic, problem solving, planning and memory.
They also have reduced brain activity in the areas that control learning and voluntary response.
The findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology.
Why the research is important
The researchers believe drinking large quantities of alcohol while the brain is still developing may damage the nervous system.
This damage could persist throughout an individual’s life and increase their risk of alcoholism, they add.
Professor Cservenka said: ‘Adolescence is a time when the brain still matures including not only biological development but also maturation of psychosocial behaviors.
‘These brain alterations, as a result of heavy alcohol use during adolescence and young adulthood, could result in increased risk of developing an alcohol use disorder later on in life.
‘It is therefore important to continue raising awareness of the risks of binge drinking’.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4710906/Why-teenagers-NEVER-drunk.html#ixzz4nLhsYWpp