American scientists from the University of Alabama have found a link between alcohol consumption in young people and brain structures. It turned out that alcohol causes the hippocampus to expand. The research was published in the scientific journal magazine Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology (ECP).
The experts’ conclusions are based on data from 1,594 people who participated in the Healthy Transitions Study project on adolescent health. The participants were followed at ages 11, 13, 16 and 19. They provided scientists with information about their alcohol, tobacco and cannabis use. A group of 350 volunteers also underwent MRI scans to assess brain structure.
The researchers found that drinking alcohol at age 14 was associated with increased hippocampal volumes on both sides of the brain.
The hippocampus plays an important role in memory formation and emotional regulation, and changes in its structure may underlie some of the cognitive and emotional effects associated with alcohol.
According to the discovery, a larger hippocampus interferes with the natural process of synapse pruning. As a result, the brain protects synapses that need to be shortened.
The scientists noted that further research is needed to clarify the impact of alcohol-induced hippocampal enlargement in adolescents.
Previous researchers named Drugs that can reduce brain volume.
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Source: Gazeta
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