alcohol consumption Archives - Amazing Health Advances

UCLA Launches Trial of Wearable ADHD Therapy for Children Exposed to Alcohol in the Womb

The AHA! Team — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 05:07:59 +0000

University of California – Los Angeles Health Sciences via News-Medical – Researchers at UCLA Health are launching the first clinical trial to test whether a wearable device that delivers gentle nerve stimulation during sleep could ease ADHD symptoms in children with prenatal alcohol exposure. Children exposed to alcohol in the womb have a heightened risk of developing ADHD-like symptoms including hyperactivity, impulsivity and executive function deficits such as difficulty paying attention, remembering, and organizing their behavior. Prenatal alcohol exposure affects about 5% of children in the U.S. with the majority developing these symptoms. These children are frequently less responsive to conventional pharmaceutical treatments for ADHD, such as psychostimulants, which can make the symptoms more disabling. The two-year clinical trial, led by UCLA adjunct professor of child psychiatry Joseph O’Neill, will study whether a neurostimulation therapy may be an effective, at-home treatment option for these children. Known as trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS), the noninvasive therapy uses electrode patches attached to a small device that delivers gentle electric stimulation of the trigeminal nerve while the child sleeps. Parents place the electrode patches on the child’s forehead before bed, with the device left on overnight. This stimulation activates brain regions associated with attention and executive function. TNS device in 2019 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the first external TNS device in 2019 after studies showed it safely improved ADHD symptoms in children ages seven to 12. However, its effectiveness for treating ADHD symptoms specifically for children with prenatal alcohol exposure has not been studied. ADHD symptoms are highly disabling for children with prenatal alcohol exposure and difficult to manage for families. And these symptoms often fail to respond to standard treatment, such as drugs like methylphenidate, in children exposed to alcohol in the womb. There is a pressing need for expanded therapeutic options for these children. So, we are looking forward to testing this very safe novel therapy that has been effective in unexposed children with ADHD.” – Joseph O’Neill, UCLA adjunct professor of child psychiatry $350,000 grant from the National Institutes of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Funded by a $350,000 grant from the National Institutes of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the pilot clinical trial will involve 30 children ages eight to 12 with exposure to alcohol during gestation. Parents will be provided a Monarch eTNS device developed by the Los Angeles-based company NeuroSigma, Inc. to be used nightly for four weeks. The parents will keep track of the child’s executive function, sleep habits, negative side effects and any adverse events. Both parents and children will rate tolerability as well as their satisfaction with treatment. If the treatment is determined to be feasible and effective, the study would proceed to a randomized crossover clinical trial. The NIAAA is set to provide up to $2.1 million for the three-year trial. “I am thrilled to be a part of this innovative study that I hope will provide relief for both children and their families who suffer from the negative consequences associated with prenatal alcohol exposure because these children have so much to offer to society,” said study co-lead Mary O’Connor, professor emerita of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. The recruitment period for the trial is currently open. Interested families may contact the study by emailing ChildBrainStudy@mednet.ucla.edu, calling (310) 267-2710, or taking the online screener at https://bit.ly/TNS-PAE Source: University of California – Los Angeles Health Sciences To read the original article click here.

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Booze-Proof Hornets Could Hold Key to Studying Alcoholism

The AHA! Team — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 06:15:10 +0000

Zachy Hennessey via Israel21c – Researchers find that hornets have several copies of the gene responsible for producing the enzyme that breaks down alcohol. A new discovery from researchers at Tel Aviv University has identified a surprising champion of alcohol tolerance – the Oriental hornet. In their recently-published study, the researchers put the Oriental hornet in the spotlight, where it stands alone — and completely sober — as the only known animal capable of consuming high concentrations of alcohol continuously without experiencing any adverse effects. This finding could revolutionize scientists’ approach to alcohol-related research. “This is a remarkable animal that shows no signs of intoxication or illness even after ingesting huge amounts of alcohol,” notes the research team, spearheaded by Sofia Bouchebti and Prof. Eran Levin at TAU’s School of Zoology and Steinhardt Museum of Natural History. Oriental hornets could potentially be used to develop new models for studying alcoholism and the metabolism of alcohol. What makes this discovery particularly striking is how it contrasts with other species’ reactions to alcohol. While alcohol naturally occurs in nature through the fermentation of sugars by yeasts and bacteria in ripe fruits and nectar, most animals — including humans — can’t handle significant amounts without serious consequences, such as impeded balance and embarrassing phone calls. Even fruit flies, which commonly dine upon fermenting fruits, show signs of intoxication after a nibble too many (proving that nature has a particularly cruel sense of humor and that the best things in life are out to kill us). Incredible ability to handle alcohol So, what makes the hornets able to drink the rest of the animal kingdom under the table? To find this out, the research team conducted a series of increasingly ambitious experiments to test the hornets’ extraordinary capabilities. In perhaps the most striking demonstration, hornets were given a diet consisting of 80 percent alcohol — a concentration that would be lethal to most organisms (though this is still being rigorously tested by college students). Remarkably, these insects not only survived but showed no behavioral changes or health impacts throughout their normal three-month lifespan. Levin explains the key to the puzzle, discovered via analysis of the hornet’s genome: “The hornet possesses several copies of the gene responsible for producing the enzyme that breaks down alcohol; this genetic adaptation may be related to their incredible ability to handle alcohol.” The evolution of this unique ability might be rooted in the hornets’ longstanding relationship with yeasts. The insects naturally harbor yeasts in their digestive systems, creating a symbiotic relationship that may have driven their adaptation to alcohol tolerance. With alcohol-related deaths accounting for 5.3% of global mortality, the implications of this research could make for more than an interesting “did you know” at the next social function you attend. “We believe that, following our research, Oriental hornets could potentially be used to develop new models for studying alcoholism and the metabolism of alcohol,” Levin concludes. To read the original article click here.

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Researchers Discover Genetic Connections to Alcohol Consumption

The AHA! Team — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 08:22:49 +0000

University of California San Diego via News-Medical – A research group centered at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine has drilled deep into a dataset of over 3 million individuals compiled by the direct-to-consumer genetics company 23andMe, Inc., and found intriguing connections between genetic factors influencing alcohol consumption and their relationship with other disorders. A research group centered at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine has drilled deep into a dataset of over 3 million individuals compiled by the direct-to-consumer genetics company 23andMe, Inc., and found intriguing connections between genetic factors influencing alcohol consumption and their relationship with other disorders. The study was recently published in the Lancet eBioMedicine. Sandra Sanchez-Roige, Ph.D., corresponding author and associate professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry, explained that the study used genetic data to broadly classify individuals as being European, Latin American and African American. Such classifications “are needed to avoid a statistical genetics pitfall called population stratification,” noted co-author Abraham A. Palmer, Ph.D., professor and vice chair for basic research in the psychiatry department. Researchers analyzed genetic data from the 3 million 23andMe research participants The researchers analyzed genetic data from the 3 million 23andMe research participants, focusing on three specific little snippets of DNA known as single-nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs. Sanchez-Roige explained that variants, or alleles, of these particular SNPs are “protective” against a variety of alcohol behaviors, from excessive alcohol drinking to alcohol use disorder. One of the alcohol-protective variants they considered is very rare: the most prevalent among the three alleles found in the study showed up in 232 individuals of the 2,619,939 European cohort, 29 of the 446,646 Latin American cohort and in 7 of the 146,776 African American cohort; others are much more common. These variants affect how the body metabolizes ethanol – the intoxicating chemical in alcoholic beverages. “The people who have the minor allele variant of the SNP convert ethanol to acetaldehyde very rapidly. And that causes a lot of negative effects.” – Sandra Sanchez-Roige, Ph.D., corresponding author and associate professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry She went on to say that the resulting nausea eclipses any pleasurable effects of alcohol – think of a bad hangover that sets in almost immediately. “These variants are primarily associated with how much someone may consume alcohol,” she said. “And they also tend to prevent alcohol use disorder, because these variants are primarily associated with the quantity of alcohol someone may drink.” Sanchez-Roige explained that the SNP variants’ influence on alcohol consumption are well researched, but her group took a “hypothesis-free” approach to the 23andMe dataset, which contains survey data on thousands of traits and behaviors. The researchers wanted to find out if the three SNP variants might have any other effects beyond alcohol consumption. Sanchez-Roige and Palmer noted that their group has developed a 10-year partnership with 23andMe that has focused on numerous traits, especially those with relevance for addiction. This work is the basis of an academic collaboration through the 23andMe Research Program. They data-mined the analyses of DNA from saliva samples submitted by consenting 23andMe research participants, as well as the responses to the surveys of health and behavior available from the 23andMe database, and found a constellation of associations, not necessarily connected with alcohol. Individuals with the alcohol-protecting alleles had generally better health, including less chronic fatigue and needing less daily assistance with daily tasks. But the paper notes individuals with the alcohol-protective alleles also had worse health outcomes in certain areas: more lifetime tobacco use, more emotional eating, more Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism. Individuals with the alcohol-protective alleles also reported totally unexpected differences, such as more malaria, more myopia and several cancers, particularly more skin cancer and lung cancer, and more migraine with aura. Sanchez-Roige acknowledged that there is a chicken-and-egg aspect to their findings. For example: Cardiovascular disease is just one of a number of maladies known to be associated with alcohol consumption. “So is alcohol consumption leading to these conditions?” she asks. Palmer finishes the thought: “Or do these genetic differences influence traits like malaria and skin cancer in a manner that is independent of alcohol consumption?” Sanchez-Roige said that such broad, hypothesis-free studies are only possible if researchers have access to very large sets of data. Many datasets, including the one used in the study, rely heavily on individuals with European ancestry. “It is important to include individuals from different ancestral backgrounds in genetic studies because it provides a more complete understanding of the genetic basis of alcohol behaviors and other conditions, all of which contributes to a more inclusive and accurate understanding of human health,” she said. “The study of only one group of genetically similar individuals (for example, individuals of shared European ancestry) could worsen health disparities by aiding discoveries that will disproportionately benefit only that population.” She said their study opens numerous doors for future research, chasing down possible connections between the alcohol-protective alleles and conditions that have no apparent connection with alcohol consumption. “Understanding the underlying mechanisms of these effects could have implications for treatments and preventative medicine,” Sanchez-Roige noted. Co-authors on the paper from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry are Mariela V. Jennings, Natasia S. Courchesne-Krak, Renata B. Cupertino and Sevim B. Bianchi. Sandra Sanchez-Roige is also associated with the Department of Medicine, Division of Genetic Medicine, Vanderbilt University. Other co-authors are: José Jaime Martínez-Magaña, Department of Psychiatry, Division of Human Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine; Laura Vilar-Ribó, Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Group of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Alexander S. Hatoum, Department of Psychology & Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis; Elizabeth G. Atkinson, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Paola Giusti-Rodriguez, Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida College of Medicine; Janitza L. Montalvo-Ortiz, Department of Psychiatry, Division of Human Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, National Center of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA CT Healthcare Center; Joel Gelernter, VA CT Healthcare Center, Department of Psychiatry, West Haven CT; and Departments of Psychiatry, Genetics & Neuroscience, Yale Univ. School of Medicine; María Soler Artigas, Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Group of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Mental Health, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona; Biomedical Network Research Centre on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid; and Department of Genetics, Microbiology, and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona; Howard J. Edenberg, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine; and the 23andMe Inc. Research Team, including Sarah L. Elson and Pierre Fontanillas. The study was funded, in part, by Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program grants T32IR5226 and 28IR-0070, National Institute of Health (NIH) National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) DP1DA054394, and NIH National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) R25MH081482. Source: University of California San Diego Journal reference: Jennings, M. V., et al. (2024) A phenome-wide association and Mendelian randomisation study of alcohol use variants in a diverse cohort comprising over 3 million individuals. Lancet eBioMedicine. doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105086. To read the original article click here.

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The Best Source of Resveratrol

AHA Publisher — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 08:00:04 +0000

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM via Nutrition Facts – Is there any benefit to resveratrol? If so, should we get it from wine, grapes, peanuts, or supplements? “Alcohol is a neurotoxin which can cause brain damage…[and] can cause cancer,” so perhaps the “consumption of alcohol…cannot be considered a healthy lifestyle choice” since it’s an addictive carcinogen. Cancer is only killer number two, though. Killer number one is heart disease, so what about the “French paradox”? Doesn’t moderate drinking protect against cardiovascular disease? I discuss this in my video Flashback Friday: The Best Source of Resveratrol. As I’ve explained before, apparently there is no French paradox. It seems to have all just been a scam. That’s what started the whole “resveratrol fiasco,” though. During an episode on “60 Minutes,” it was suggested the red wine component resveratrol may account for the French paradox, and research took off. Even after it turned out there was no French paradox, research continued unabated, culminating in more than 10,000 scientific publications to date. What did researchers find? “After more than 20 years of well-funded research, resveratrol has no proven human activity.” “One salient theme that consistently arises throughout this voluminous body of work underscores the fact that data from human studies regarding any biological effects of resveratrol is sorely lacking, despite its popularity as an over-the-counter nutritional supplement.” In fact, “the hype in the popular media regarding resveratrol…may indeed turn out to be nothing more than a slight-of-hand marketing device using…non-human research as a cover.” As you can see at 1:36 in my video, some studies are based on laboratory animal studies at massive doses—tens of milligrams of resveratrol per pound. If you do the math, this is how “various ‘experts’ claim that a daily dosage of 1 g/d is effective for treatments of diverse disorders in humans.” So how much red wine do you have to drink to get a gram of resveratrol a day? Why, just 5,000 cups a day. Not a fan of red wine? Don’t worry. You can just have a couple thousand gallons of white wine a day, 5,000 pounds of apples or grapes, 50,000 pounds of peanuts, a couple thousand pounds of chocolate, or nearly a million bottles of beer. A million bottles of beer on the wall. A million bottles of beer. Take one down and pass it around, nine hundred and ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall…. It doesn’t help matters when a “leading researcher on the beneficial properties of resveratrol…has been found guilty of 145 counts of fabrication and falsification of data,” throwing the whole field into turmoil. “Wine is good for those…who sell it!” The resveratrol fiasco is not the only time dietary supplements have failed to fulfill their promise. “Notable examples” include beta-carotene pills and fish oil capsules. Studies in the 1990s showedtaking beta-carotene in pill form actually increased cancer risk, and, in 2013, the thinking shiftedon fish oil supplements from “No Proof of Effectiveness” to “Proof of No Effectiveness.” “The main lesson we should learn is that what makes biological sense and works in test tubes and animals does not always operate in humans.” “Resveratrol is one of approximately 25,000 components identified from food to date,” after all. Thinking in terms of whole foods “may be a better approach for health and disease prevention.” Instead of consuming just one chemical in wine extracted from grapes, why not eat the whole grape? “[F]or the prevention of diseases, the [whole] dietary grape seems to be the best-case scenario.” Key Takeaways Alcohol is a neurotoxin that can cause brain damage and our number-two killer, cancer, but what about the so-called French paradox of moderate drinking protecting against cardiovascular disease, our number one killer? During an episode of the television show “60 Minutes,” it was suggested that resveratrol, a component in red wine, may account for the French paradox, but it has been dismissed as a hoax. Despite that, research has continued and more than 10,000 scientific papers have been published to date. Resveratrol has been found to have “no proven human activity,” and “the hype in the popular media regarding resveratrol…may indeed turn out to be nothing more than a slight-of-hand marketing device using…non-human research as a cover.” Indeed, some animal studies used massive doses of tens of milligrams of resveratrol per pound to claim that a daily dosage of 1 g/d is an effective treatment of diverse human disorders, but you would need to drink 5,000 cups of red wine to get a single gram of resveratrol. Other dietary supplements have also been found unable to fulfill their promises, such as beta-carotene pills and fish oil capsules. Beta-carotene in pill form has been found to increase, not decrease, cancer risk, and there is no proof of effectiveness with fish oil supplements. “The main lesson we should learn is that what makes biological sense and works in test tubes and animals does not always operate in humans.” Rather than consuming just one chemical in wine extracted from grapes, why not eat the whole grape? Surprised about the French paradox? Learn more in What Explains the French Paradox?. Can resveratrol supplements do more harm than good? Check out Resveratrol Impairs Exercise Benefits. In health, Michael Greger, M.D. This article has been modified. To read the original article click here.

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Alcohol Consumption Increases Risk of Several Cancers While Coffee Protects Against Liver, Skin Cancer

AHA Publisher — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 07:00:19 +0000

World Cancer Research Fund via News-Medical – Alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for several cancers including head & neck (mouth, pharynx, larynx), oesophageal and bowel cancer – as well as the more widely known links to breast and liver cancer – according to a new study funded by World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), and published this week in Nature Communications. The study also found increased coffee consumption was associated with a lower risk of developing liver cancer and basal cell carcinoma of the skin. The study looked at data from 860 reviews (meta-analyses) of published studies, which explored the association between food and nutrient intake and the risk of either developing or dying from 11 different cancers. According to NHS Digital, 65% of men and 50% of women in the UK had drunk alcohol in the last week. When alcohol is metabolized, it breaks down into chemicals which can bind to DNA, resulting in mutations which could become cancerous. Alcohol can also increase the levels of the hormones linked to the development of some types of breast cancer. Coffee is one of the most commonly consumed beverages at a global level and it is thought that the beneficial effects of coffee consumption might be due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may protect against diseases triggered by inflammation like cancer. “This umbrella review confirms the evidence we have for alcohol and coffee in relation to cancer. Further research needs to better understand the mechanisms involved in the links between coffee and cancer as well as between alcohol and different cancer subtypes. As always, we continue to encourage limiting alcohol intake as part of our Cancer Prevention Recommendations which include being a healthy weight, being physically active and enjoying a diet rich in wholegrains, vegetables, fruit and pulses.” Dr Giota Mitrou, Director of Research and Innovation, WCRF The authors of the study are calling for more targeted public health policies in order to deter the known major diet related risk factors for cancer, particularly alcohol consumption. To read the original article click here.

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Overweight or Obesity Amplifies Harmful Effects of Alcohol on the Liver

AHA Publisher — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 07:00:55 +0000

University of Sydney via News-Medical – Led by the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre, the study looked at medical data from nearly half a million people and found having overweight or obesity considerably amplified the harmful effects of alcohol on liver disease and mortality. “People in the overweight or obese range who drank were found to be at greater risk of liver diseases compared with participants within a healthy weight range who consumed alcohol at the same level. Even for people who drank within alcohol guidelines, participants classified as obese were at over 50 percent greater risk of liver disease.” (Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis, senior author and research program director, Charles Perkins Centre and the Faculty of Medicine and Health) The researchers drew upon data from the UK Biobank – a large-scale biomedical cohort study containing in-depth biological, behavioural, and health information from participants in the United Kingdom (UK). According to the researchers, this is one of the first and largest studies looking at increased adiposity (overweight or obesity) and level of alcohol consumption together, in relation to future liver disease. Information was examined from 465,437 people aged 40 to 69 years, with medical and health details collected over an average of 10.5 years. The findings were published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Lead author Dr Elif Inan-Eroglu, a postdoctoral research fellow with the Charles Perkins Centre, said the results suggest people carrying excess weight may need to be more aware of risks around alcohol consumption. “With the most recent data suggesting two in three people – or 67 percent of the Australian population are in the overweight or obesity range, this is obviously a very topical issue.” Key Findings The researchers reviewed data on participants classified as overweight/obese based on their body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, self-reported alcohol consumption according to UK alcohol guidelines, and liver disease incidence and liver disease as cause of death. BMI is based on both weight and height. A BMI of over 25 denotes overweight, and over 30 denotes obesity. For waist circumference, researchers used the World Health Organization (WHO) classification: normal (<80 cm for women, <94 cm for men), overweight (>80 cm for women, >94 cm for men), and obese (>88 cm for women, >102 cm for men). The level of risk was given a number called a ‘hazard ratio’. The higher the number than 1, the higher the risk. People who drank above UK alcohol guidelines had, compared to within guideline drinkers: oA nearly 600 percent higher risk of being diagnosed with alcoholic fatty liver disease(5.83 hazard ratio). oA nearly 700 percent higher risk of death caused by alcoholic fatty liver disease (6.94 hazard ratio). People with overweight or obesity who drank within or above alcohol guidelines had over 50 percent greater risk of developing liver disease compared to normal weight participants who consumed alcohol at the same level. To read the original article click here.

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Moderate Alcohol Intake May Be Heart Protective by Reducing Stress-Related Brain Signals

AHA Publisher — Thu, 13 May 2021 07:00:47 +0000

American College of Cardiology via News-Medical – Moderate alcohol intake–defined as no more than one alcoholic drink for women and two for men per day–has been associated with a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease when compared with individuals who abstain from drinking or partake in excessive drinking, according to a new study being presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 70th Annual Scientific Session. It’s also the first study to show that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol may be heart protective, in part, by reducing stress-related brain signals based on a subset of patients who underwent brain imaging. We found that stress-related activity in the brain was higher in non-drinkers when compared with people who drank moderately, while people who drank excessively (more than 14 drinks per week) had the highest level of stress-related brain activity. The thought is that moderate amounts of alcohol may have effects on the brain that can help you relax, reduce stress levels and, perhaps through these mechanisms, lower the incidence of cardiovascular disease.” Kenechukwu Mezue, MD, Fellow in Nuclear cardiology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Study’s Lead Author While Mezue was quick to caution that these findings should not encourage alcohol use, he said they could open doors to new therapeutics or prescribing stress-relieving activities like exercise or yoga to help minimize stress signals in the brain. “The current study suggests that moderate alcohol intake beneficially impacts the brain-heart connection. However, alcohol has several important side effects, including an increased risk of cancer, liver damage and dependence, so other interventions with better side effect profiles that beneficially impact brain-heart pathways are needed,” Mezue said. In a related study by the same research team (which is also being presented at ACC.21), exercise was found to have a similar effect on brain activity as well as on the incidence of cardiovascular disease and events. The authors said exercise is associated with decreased stress-associated brain activity in a dose-dependent manner. While the connection between stress and heart disease is widely accepted, the authors said relatively little research has been done on how modifying stress may help protect heart health. Data were obtained from the Mass General Brigham Biobank health care survey of 53,064 participants, of which 59.9% were women and the average age was 57.2 years. Alcohol intake was based on self-report and was classified as low (<1 drink/week), moderate (1-14 drinks/week) or high (>14 drinks/week). Major adverse cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke or related hospitalizations, were determined using diagnostic (ICD) codes. Of the patients included, 752 underwent 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, or PET imaging, which is often used as part of cancer screening but can also show areas in the brain that have increased activity. The scans allowed researchers to objectively measure activity in regions of the brain known to be associated with stress. Researchers assessed stress-related brain activity by measuring the activity of the amygdala (the part of the brain associated with fear and stress) and dividing it by activity in the frontal cortex (the part of the brain involved in executive functions). They then grouped patients based on the extent of brain stress activity. Of the 53,064 participants, 7,905 (15%) experienced a major adverse cardiovascular event: 17% in the low alcohol intake group and 13% in the moderate alcohol intake group. People who reported moderate alcohol intake were found to have a 20% lower chance of having a major event compared to low alcohol intake (in adjusted analysis), and also had lower stress-related brain activity. This remained significant even after controlling for demographic variables, cardiovascular risk factors, socioeconomic variables and psychological factors. “Previous studies by our group and others have shown a robust association between heightened amygdalar activity and a higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular outcomes, such as heart attack, stroke or death. In the current study, path analyses showed that the link between moderate alcohol intake and lowered cardiovascular event risk is significantly mediated though reductions in amygdalar activity,” Mezue said. The study is limited due to the self-reporting of alcohol intake based on the average consumption of drinks per week. The data is also from a single center, and each participant in the imaging sub-study only received a single brain scan. Further study would be needed to show that the observed reductions in brain activity are the direct result of moderate alcohol intake through repeated brain scans and more detailed alcohol intake assessments over time. To read the original article click here.

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Low Levels of Prenatal Alcohol Consumption Can Affect Child’s Brain Development

AHA Publisher — Mon, 05 Oct 2020 07:00:25 +0000

University of Sydney via News-Medical Net – New research from the University of Sydney finds that even low levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy can have an impact on a child’s brain development and is associated with greater psychological and behavioral problems in youth including anxiety, depression and poor attention. Published today in the prestigious American Journal of Psychiatry, the study was led by the University’s Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use. The impact of low-level alcohol use during pregnancy on child development is relatively unknown and there has been extensive debate about whether there is a safe level of consumption. The researchers investigated whether any alcohol consumption in pregnancy was related to psychological, behavioral, neural and cognitive differences in children aged nine to ten years. With a sample of 9,719 youth, this is the largest study to investigate the impacts of low-level alcohol use during pregnancy. Low levels of drinking were considered one to two drinks per occasion with maximum of six drinks per week. Our research found that even small amounts of alcohol consumed while pregnant can have a significant impact on a child’s brain development. Previous research has shown that very heavy alcohol use, such as binge drinking, during pregnancy can cause harm to the baby. However, this study shows that any alcohol use during pregnancy, even low levels, is associated with subtle, yet significant behavioural and psychological effects in children including anxiety, depression and poor attention. This study is so important because in Australia, around 50 percent of women drink alcohol before they know they are pregnant, and 25 percent do so after they know. The vast majority consume one or two standard drinks per occasion which this study shows is enough to impact the baby’s brain.” Ms Briana Lees, lead author, PhD candidate at the Matilda Centre Study Findings In the study, 25 percent of children had been exposed to alcohol in utero (in the womb), 60 percent of these children had been exposed to low-level alcohol use, and 40 per cent had been exposed to heavier levels. Heavier exposure being three or more drinks per occasion or seven or more drinks per week. Children who were exposed to low levels of alcohol in-utero at any time during pregnancy experienced more psychological/emotional problems (including anxiety, depression and being withdrawn) and behavioural problems (including poor attention and being impulsive) than unexposed children. There was a 25 percent increased likelihood of an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis in children who were exposed to slightly heavier levels of alcohol (approximately 36 drinks) in the first 6-7 weeks of pregnancy. Heavier alcohol use during early pregnancy was also associated with rule breaking behavior and aggression, with a 30 percent higher risk of the child being diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder than unexposed youth. There were differences observed in brain volume and surface area among the exposed children which contributed to the psychological and behavioural problems. The estimated number of drinks consumed during pregnancy ranged from 0-90 with the average being 27. The majority of drinks were consumed in the first 6-7 weeks prior to pregnancy knowledge. “Generally, the more a child was exposed to alcohol in utero the more severe the outcomes were,” said Ms Lees. “Children experienced negative effects even if they were only exposed to low levels of alcohol during very early pregnancy (approximately 16 drinks in the first six to seven weeks) and then the mother stopped drinking. The difficulty is many women don’t know they are pregnant at that early stage. Senior author Professor Maree Teesson, Director of the Matilda Centre said these findings are important for families, clinicians and policy makers moving forward. “This research highlights the importance for women to be aware of the effects that even low levels of drinking can have on the brain development of babies,” she said. “The safest option during pregnancy is to abstain from drinking any alcohol. “This information is also important for women planning pregnancies. Even when planning pregnancy, it is safer to abstain from any drinking. Any alcohol consumption from conception throughout the entire pregnancy can impact the brain development of their baby.” About the Study The study used clinical interview, youth and parent self-report, cognitive tasks, and structural and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from 9,719 community-based children ages nine to ten years old in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. Alcohol use was retrospective, parent-reported data. To read the original article click here.

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The Medical Minute: Prevent a Stroke by Knowing Your Risks

AHA Publisher — Tue, 26 May 2020 07:00:42 +0000

Penn State Health via Newswise – Strokes are the fifth most common cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of disability among survivors. Fortunately, most strokes — more than 80% — are preventable. “It’s all about modifying your risk so you don’t have a stroke in the first place,” said Alicia Richardson, a clinical nurse specialist with Penn State Health Stroke Center. “And most risk factors are completely manageable in a primary care setting.” Dr. Raymond Reichwein, a neurologist and co-medical director of the Stroke Center, says everyone should request a stroke risk assessment during their annual check-up with their primary care provider. This is especially important as many risk factors may not have any obvious symptoms. Common Risk Factors High blood pressure is the number one, modifiable risk factor for stroke, “but many people are asymptomatic,” said Reichwein, who recommends periodic blood pressure checks in the morning, afternoon and evening as blood pressure can vary throughout the day. If an individual develops pre-hypertension — blood pressure readings above 120/80 and below 140/90 — or high blood pressure, there are many effective, inexpensive medications to manage the condition and lower stroke risk. High cholesterol and type 2 diabetes are also significant risk factors for stroke and can be managed effectively with medications, Richardson says. But even those who are pre-diabetic — having a higher than normal blood sugar level but not high enough to be type 2 diabetes — have twice the risk of stroke as someone with a normal sugar level. Other manageable causes of stroke include carotid artery disease and atrial fibrillation (AFib), or irregular heart rhythm. The former, which accounts for approximately 15% of strokes, can be easily assessed during a routine check-up. “It’s as simple as using a stethoscope to listen for abnormal sounds in the neck that would suggest a blockage,” Reichwein said. If warranted, an ultrasound would follow. A procedure called a carotid endarterectomy can clear the plaque from the blood vessel; occasionally a stent is placed in the artery to reduce subsequent stroke risks. Up to one-quarter of the population can develop AFib as they get older; a majority of those are asymptomatic. As they age, the condition becomes a stronger risk factor for stroke. “These can lead to devastating, debilitating strokes in someone who is otherwise a pretty healthy, older individual,” Reichwein said. “The key is to identify it when it’s subclinical. There are devices — Fitbit and Apple Watch — that monitor your heartrate and provide information on whether your data points to AFib.” He cautions anyone who feels abnormal heart palpitations or as if their chest is fluttering to seek medical guidance. Individuals who snore should take note that obstructive sleep apnea is also a risk factor for stroke. Reichwein advises that people who are overweight, with a bigger neck size, get screened for this disorder. Finally, there are lifestyle behaviors that can put one at an increased risk of stroke. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, and physical inactivity are all modifiable risk factors. Young and at Risk While strokes have decreased by 29% in people age 65 and older over the past decade, Penn State Health Stroke Center has seen a dramatic increase in the number of patients ages 25 to 44, according to Richardson. “This population doesn’t even realize they’re at risk,” she said. Younger stroke patients share many of the same risk factors as their older counterparts, but there are other risks factors as well, according to Reichwein. These include genetic disorders like sickle cell anemia and some blood clotting disorders. There is also an associated risk of stroke for individuals who have migraine headaches with aura, particularly in women who also use oral contraception or hormone therapy. Reichwein advises that these individuals discuss their risk with their care provider. When a Stroke Happens Time is critical with strokes. If the intravenous clot-busting drug known as TPA can be administered up to four and a-half hours from the onset of symptoms, the stroke-causing clot can be dissolved, restoring blood flow and reducing brain damage. To help people recognize the signs of stroke, Reichwein and Richardson point to the acronym BE FAST, representing Balance loss, Eyesight changes, Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty and Time to call 911. “BE FAST captures about 90% of stroke symptoms,” said Reichwein, who stresses that any sudden onset of any of these symptoms should be considered a stroke until determined otherwise. Those who experience one or more BE FAST symptoms briefly but then seemingly recover within 30 minutes to an hour should also seek immediate attention for their brief symptoms as they could have had a TIA — transient ischemic attack — also called a mini stroke. Individuals who experience a TIA have a risk of up to 20% of having a stroke within 90 days. “Only 1 in 4 people who have a stroke are lucky enough to be forewarned by a TIA,” Reichwein said. “It’s a great window of opportunity to prevent a future stroke.” To read the original article click here.

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