Brain growth inhibited by heavy consumption of alcohol – Eurasia Review

Excessive consumption of alcohol in adolescents and young adults is not only
dangerous in itself, but new research on nonhuman primates
that it can actually slow the rate of growth of developing brains.

The study, published in the journal in Euro, shows that a high consumption of alcohol reduces the brain growth rate of 0.25 milliliter per year for every gram of alcohol consumed per kilogram of body weight. In human terms, this equates to four beers a day. Research has focused on rhesus macaque monkeys at Oregon's National Primate Research Center.

"Chronic intoxication with alcohol has reduced the rate of brain growth,
the cerebral white matter and the subcortical thalamus, "the researchers write.

Researchers Measured Brain Growth Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging
of 71 rhesus macaques who voluntarily consumed ethanol or beverages
alcohol. Scientists have accurately measured intake, diet, daily schedules and
health care, thus excluding other factors that tend to confuse
results of observational studies involving people. The conclusions of the
helps validate previous research on the effect of alcohol
use on brain development in people.

"Human studies are based on the self-declaration of the minor drinkers",
Christopher Kroenke, Ph.D., co-author, badociate professor at
Division of Neuroscience at the Primate Center. "Our measures spot
drink alcohol with impaired brain growth. "

The new study is the first to characterize normal brain growth of 1
milliliter by 1.87 years in rhesus macaques in late adolescence and
early adulthood. And it also reveals a decrease in the volume of
Distinct brain areas due to the voluntary consumption of ethanol.

Lead Author Tatiana Shnitko, PhD, Research Assistant Professor
in the Division of Neuroscience of the Primate Center, said
research has shown that the brain has the ability to recover at least partially
following the cessation of the consumption of alcohol. However, it is not clear
if there are any long-term effects on mental functions as
the brains of teenagers and young adults are ending their growth phase. The next step
research will explore this issue.

"This is the age range in which the brain is adjusted
responsibilities of adults, "said Shnitko. "The question is, does alcohol
exposure during this age range alters the learning ability of life
people?"