ALCOHOL REPORTS

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

The persistence of adolescent binge drinking into adulthood: findings from a 15-year prospective cohort study

To examine the prevalence of binge drinking in adolescence and its persistence into adulthood in an Australian cohort.

15-year prospective cohort study.

Victoria, Australia.

1943 adolescents were recruited from secondary schools at age 14–15 years.

Levels of past-week ‘binge’ drinking (5+ standard drinks on a day, each 10 g alcohol) and ‘heavy binge’ drinking (20+ standard drinks on a day for males, 11+ for females) were assessed during six adolescent waves, and across three adult waves up to age 29 years.

Half of the males (52%) and a third of the females (34%) reported past-week adolescent binge drinking. 90% of male and 70% of female adolescent-onset binge drinkers continued to binge in young adulthood; 70% of males and 48% of females who were not adolescent-onset binge drinkers reported young adult binge drinking. Past-week heavy bingeing was less common in adolescence than adulthood. Overall, 35% of the sample (95% CI 33% to 38%) reported past-week binge drinking in adolescence and young adulthood and one-third (33%; 30% to 35%) first reported binge drinking in young adulthood; only 7% of the sample (6–8%) had binge drinking in adolescence but not young adulthood. ‘Heavy binge’ drinking occurred in adolescence and young adulthood for 9% (8% to 10%); 8% (7% to 10%) reported it in adolescence but no longer in young adulthood; and 24% (22% to 26%) began ‘heavy binge’ drinking in young adulthood. Among adolescent binge drinkers (n=821), young adult binge and heavy binge drinking were predicted by being male, adolescent antisocial behaviour and adverse consequences of drinking in adolescence.

Binge alcohol use is common and persistent among young Australians. Efforts to prevent the onset of binge drinking during adolescence may substantially reduce harmful patterns of alcohol use in young adulthood.

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The Relationship Between Excessive Alcohol Consumption and Alcohol Use Disorders According to DSM-IV and DSM-5

Although it seems intuitive that alcohol use disorders (AUDs) include excessive alcohol consumption (EAC), this notion is not well established. This study investigates to which degree EAC (defined as >14/21 drinks weekly for women/men and at least three 5+ drinking days per week) and AUD overlap and whether problematic alcohol use groups (EAC-only, AUD-only, and EAC + AUD) differ from each other and from nonproblematic alcohol users regarding sociodemographics, mental health problems, functioning, and service utilization.

Data were derived from the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study-2, a population-based study including 5,443 current drinkers (aged 18 to 64) interviewed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 3.0. Both DSM-IV AUDs and a proxy of DSM-5 AUD are considered.

Of the current drinkers, 3.8% reported 12-month EAC. Twelve-month prevalence of DSM-IV and DSM-5 AUD were 5.4 and 4.4%, respectively. Regarding DSM-IV, only 17.7% of subjects with AUD reported EAC and 25.3% of those with EAC had an AUD. Compared with nonproblematic alcohol users, the 3 groups of problematic alcohol use (EAC-only, AUD-only, and EAC + AUD) were more often associated with mental health problems, poorer functioning, and service utilization. There were few differences between EAC-only and AUD-only regarding these correlates. However, EAC + AUD had strongest associations with above-mentioned correlates compared with the other 3 groups. Compared with DSM-IV findings, DSM-5 AUDs had slightly larger overlap with EAC, but correlates were similarly associated with problematic alcohol use groups.

Findings indicate limited overlap between EAC and AUD. Yet, both dimensions were similarly associated with other problems suggesting that both should be included in future epidemiological research to detect the total group of problematic alcohol users.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: mtuithof@trimbos.nl

Repeated Diagnoses of Lifetime Alcohol Use Disorders in a Prospective Study: Insights into the Extent and Nature of the Reliability and Validity Problem

Prior research indicates that assessments of lifetime alcohol use disorders (AUDs) show low sensitivity and are unreliable when assessed by a single, retrospective interview. This study sought to replicate and extend previous research by calculating the lifetime prevalence rate of AUDs using both single retrospective assessments of lifetime diagnosis and repeated assessments of both lifetime and past-year diagnoses over a 16-year period within the same high-risk sample. In addition, this study examined factors that contributed to the consistency in reporting lifetime AUDs over time.

Using prospective data, the reliability and validity of lifetime estimates of alcohol dependence and AUD were examined in several ways. Data were drawn from a cohort of young adults at high and low risk for alcoholism, originally ascertained as first-time college freshmen (N = 489 at baseline) at a large, public university and assessed over 16 years.

Compared with using a single, lifetime retrospective assessment of DSM-III disorders assessed at approximately age 34, lifetime estimates derived from using multiple, prospective assessments of both past-year and lifetime AUD were substantially higher (25% single lifetime vs. 41% cumulative past-year vs. 46% cumulative lifetime). This pattern of findings was also found when conducting these comparisons at the symptom level. Further, these results suggest that some factors (e.g., symptoms endorsed, prior consistency in reporting of a lifetime AUD, and family history status) are associated with the consistency in reporting lifetime AUDs over time.

Based on these findings, lifetime diagnoses using a single measurement occasion should be interpreted with considerable caution given they appear to produce potentially large prevalence underestimates. These results provide further insight into the extent and nature of the reliability and validity problem with lifetime AUDs.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: amhnq6@mail.missouri.edu

Infant Emotional Withdrawal: A Precursor of Affective and Cognitive Disturbance in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Our aim was to test the hypothesis that emotional withdrawal is an early indicator of affective disorder in infants heavily exposed prenatally to alcohol, which is independent of alcohol-related effects on mother–infant interaction and temperament and discriminated between children later diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and partial FAS (PFAS) and predicted cognitive and affective outcomes at 5 and 9 years.

The sample consisted of Cape Coloured (mixed ancestry) infants, whose mothers were interviewed during pregnancy regarding their alcohol consumption using a timeline follow-back approach. Infant emotional withdrawal (n = 85) was assessed on the Alarm Distress Baby Scale at 6.5 months. Mother–infant interaction was evaluated from video recordings during free play and infant feeding at 6.5 months (n = 127). Infant temperament was assessed by maternal report on the EAS Temperament Survey at 13 months (n = 119). Sociodemographic and psychological correlates of maternal alcohol use and infant iron deficiency were examined as potential confounders. The children were diagnosed for FAS/PFAS by expert dysmorphologists at 5 years, cognitive and affective function at 5 and 9 years.

Prenatal alcohol exposure was associated with increased infant emotional withdrawal and decreased activity, but unrelated to mother–infant interaction or any other temperament measures. Children later diagnosed with FAS and PFAS at 5 years exhibited more emotional withdrawal and less responsivity and activity as infants. Infant withdrawal, responsivity, quality of interaction, and maternal sensitivity also predicted poorer IQ and affective response at 5 and 9 years. When all 4 infant affective measures were examined simultaneously in a regression analysis, only infant emotional withdrawal persisted as a significant predictor of 9-year IQ.

This study is the first to document a direct effect of fetal alcohol exposure on emotional withdrawal in infancy. These data link prenatal alcohol to a specific aspect of infant affective function not attributable to mother–infant interaction, infant temperament, or other socioemotional aspects of the infant's environment and identify infant emotional withdrawal as an early indicator of affective disturbance, particularly in children later diagnosed with FAS and PFAS.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: molteno.chris@gmail.com

Effects of Ethanol on Immune Response in the Brain: Region-Specific Changes in Adolescent Versus Adult Mice

Alcohol use occurs across the life span beginning in adolescence and continuing through adulthood. Ethanol (EtOH)-induced pathology varies with age and includes changes in neurogenesis, neurodegeneration, and glial cell activation. EtOH-induced changes in glial activation and immune activity are believed to contribute to EtOH-induced neuropathology. Recent studies indicate an emerging role of glial-derived neuroimmune molecules in alcohol abuse and addiction.

Adolescent and adult C57BL/6 mice were treated via gavage with 6 g/kg EtOH for 10 days, and tissue was harvested 1 day post treatment. We compared the effects of EtOH on chemokine and cytokine expression and astrocyte glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunostaining and morphology in the hippocampus, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex.

EtOH increased mRNA levels of the chemokine CCL2/MCP-1 in all 3 regions of adult mice relative to controls. The cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) was selectively increased only in the adult cerebellum. EtOH did not affect mRNA levels of the cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in any of these brain regions in adult animals. Interestingly, CCL2, IL-6, and TNF-α mRNA levels were not increased in the hippocampus, cerebellum, or cortex of adolescent mice. EtOH treatment of adult and adolescent mice resulted in increased GFAP immunostaining.

Collectively, these data indicate an age- and region-specific susceptibility to EtOH regulation of neuroinflammatory and addiction-related molecules as well as astrocyte phenotype. These studies may have important implications concerning differential alcohol-induced neuropathology and alcohol addiction across the life span.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: drewpauld@uams.edu

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) in the Assessment of Alcohol Use Disorders Among Acute Injury Patients

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) is a brief alcohol screening test and a candidate for inclusion in recommended screening and brief intervention protocols for acute injury patients. The objective of the current study was to examine the performance of the AUDIT-C to risk stratify injury patients with regard to their probability of having an alcohol use disorder.

Participants (n = 1,004) were from a multisite Australian acute injury study. Stratum-specific likelihood ratio (SSLR) analysis was used to examine the performance of previously recommended AUDIT-C risk zones based on a dichotomous cut-point (0 to 3, 4 to 12) and risk zones derived from SSLR analysis to estimate the probability of a current alcohol use disorder.

Almost a quarter (23%) of patients met criteria for a current alcohol use disorder. SSLR analysis identified multiple AUDIT-C risk zones (0 to 3, 4 to 5, 6, 7 to 8, 9 to 12) with a wide range of posttest probabilities of alcohol use disorder, from 5 to 68%. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) score was 0.82 for the derived AUDIT-C zones and 0.70 for the recommended AUDIT-C zones. A comparison between AUROCs revealed that overall the derived zones performed significantly better than the recommended zones in being able to discriminate between patients with and without alcohol use disorder.

The findings of SSLR analysis can be used to improve estimates of the probability of alcohol use disorder in acute injury patients based on AUDIT-C scores. In turn, this information can inform clinical interventions and the development of screening and intervention protocols in a range of settings.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: dwade@unimelb.edu.au

Reduction in Central H2O2 Levels Prevents Voluntary Ethanol Intake in Mice: A Role for the Brain Catalase-H2O2 System in Alcohol Binge Drinking

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is the cosubstrate used by the enzyme catalase to form Compound I (the catalase-H₂O₂ system), which is the major pathway for the conversion of ethanol (EtOH) into acetaldehyde in the brain. This centrally formed acetaldehyde has been shown to be involved in some of the psychopharmacological effects induced by EtOH in rodents, including voluntary alcohol intake. It has been observed that different levels of this enzyme in the central nervous system (CNS) result in variations in the amount of EtOH consumed. This has been interpreted to mean that the brain catalase-H₂O₂ system, by determining EtOH metabolism, mediates alcohol self-administration. To date, however, the role of H₂O₂ in voluntary EtOH drinking has not been investigated.

In the present study, we explored the consequence of a reduction in cerebral H₂O₂ levels in volitional EtOH ingestion. With this end in mind, we injected mice of the C57BL/6J strain intraperitoneally with the H₂O₂ scavengers alpha-lipoic acid (LA; 0 to 50 mg/kg) or ebselen (Ebs; 0 to 25 mg/kg) 15 or 60 minutes, respectively, prior to offering them an EtOH (10%) solution following a drinking-in-the-dark procedure. The same procedure was followed to assess the selectivity of these compounds in altering EtOH intake by presenting mice with a (0.1%) solution of saccharin. In addition, we indirectly tested the ability of LA and Ebs to reduce brain H₂O₂ availability.

The results showed that both LA and Ebs dose-dependently reduced voluntary EtOH intake, without altering saccharin consumption. Moreover, we demonstrated that these treatments decreased the central H₂O₂ levels available to catalase.

Therefore, we propose that the amount of H₂O₂ present in the CNS, by determining brain acetaldehyde formation by the catalase-H₂O₂ system, could be a factor that determines an animal's propensity to consume EtOH.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: aragon@psb.uji.es

High Variability in the Exposure of Baclofen in Alcohol-Dependent Patients

Baclofen is a GABA-B receptor agonist used in the treatment of spasticity. Recently, baclofen is used out of its label to decrease craving of alcoholic patients. Its optimal use in these patients requires further pharmacokinetic information. The objective of this study was to characterize the pharmacokinetics of baclofen in alcohol-dependent patients. Randomized clinical trials are ongoing to evaluate the efficacy for this new indication.

Thirty-seven outpatients (weight: 74.0 kg [42.0 to 104.0]; age: 49 years [31 to 68]) followed in the addictology unit were studied. Total mean dose of 77.9 mg (30 to 240) per day was administered by oral route. Therapeutic drug monitoring allowed the measurement of 139 plasma concentrations. The following covariates were evaluated: demographic data (age, body weight, height, sex), biological data (creatinine, urea, AST, ALT, albumin, PR, VGM, PAL, CDT, GGT), and tobacco consumption (number of cigarettes and Fagerstrom test). Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed by using a nonlinear mixed-effect population model (NONMEM 7.2 software).

Data were modeled with a 1-compartment pharmacokinetic model. The population typical mean (95% confidence interval [95% CI]) values for clearance (CL), apparent volume of distribution (V), and rate constant of absorption (Ka) were 9.9 l/h (9.0 to 11.1), 80.7 l (63.6 to 96.9), and 4.6/h (1.5 to 19.9), respectively. The interindividual variability of CL (95% CI) and V (95% CI), and residual variability (95% CI) were 56.0% (47.9 to 60.7), 68.3% (48.7 to 80.1), and 0.096 mg/l (0.079 to 0.107), respectively.

Baclofen exhibited a linear pharmacokinetics with a proportional relationship from 30 to 240 mg per day, the dose range currently used in alcoholic patients. A wide interpatient variability was observed which could not be explained by the covariates. This high variation of baclofen exposure may explain the lack of response observed for some patients.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: Amelie.MARSOT@ap-hm.fr

Stress–response pathways are altered in the hippocampus of chronic alcoholics

The chronic high-level alcohol consumption seen in alcoholism leads to dramatic effects on the hippocampus, including decreased white matter, loss of oligodendrocytes and other glial cells, and inhibition of neurogenesis.

Examining gene expression in post mortem hippocampal tissue from 20 alcoholics and 19 controls allowed us to detect differentially expressed genes that may play a role in the risk for alcoholism or whose expression is modified by chronic consumption of alcohol.

We identified 639 named genes whose expression significantly differed between alcoholics and controls at a False Discovery Rate (FDR) ≤ 0.20; 52% of these genes differed by at least 1.2-fold. Differentially expressed genes included the glucocorticoid receptor and the related gene FK506 binding protein 5 (FKBP5), UDP glycosyltransferase 8 (UGT8), urea transporter (SLC14A1), zinc transporter (SLC39A10), Interleukin 1 receptor type 1 (IL1R1), thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP), and many metallothioneins.

Pathways related to inflammation, hypoxia, and stress showed activation, and pathways that play roles in neurogenesis and myelination showed decreases. The cortisol pathway dysregulation and increased inflammation identified here are seen in other stress-related conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder and most likely play a role in addiction.

Many of the detrimental effects on the hippocampus appear to be mediated through NF-κB signaling. Twenty-four of the differentially regulated genes were previously identified by genome-wide association studies of alcohol use disorders; this raises the potential interest of genes not normally associated with alcoholism, such as suppression of tumorigenicity 18 (ST18), BCL2-associated athanogene 3 (BAG3), and von Willebrand factor (VWF).

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Request Reprint E-Mail: edenberg@iu.edu

Monday, August 26, 2013

Epigenetics—New Frontier for Alcohol Research

The term “epigenetics” is rapidly becoming one of the more important watchwords in the field of alcohol research. Put simply, epigenetics is the study of changes in gene function that occur without a change in the body’s genetic code. Instead epigenetic “markers” turn genes “on” and “off.” By acting on these epigenetic markers, environmental factors such as diet, stress, and prenatal nutrition can make an imprint on the genes that are active in different tissues and at various stages of life. Even more importantly, these alterations may be passed along from one generation to the next. The result is that the influences from harmful environmental factors can be extended beyond the individual and passed to his or her offspring. This issue of Alcohol Research: Current Reviewsexplores the concept of epigenetics and how it may influence the body’s response to alcohol and the development of alcohol use disorders and various disease states.

1 Editors’ Note [PDF]

4 In This Issue [PDF]

6 Alcohol Metabolism and Epigenetic Changes [PDF]
Samir Zakhari, Ph.D.

18 Dysregulation of microRNA Expression and Function Contributes to the Etiology of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders [PDF]
Sridevi Balaraman, Ph.D.; Joseph D. Tingling; Pai-Chi Tsai; and Rajesh C. Miranda, Ph.D.

25 Alcohol, DNA Methylation, and Cancer [PDF]
Marta Varela-Rey, Ph.D.; Ashwin Woodhoo, Ph.D.; Maria-Luz Martinez-Chantar, Ph.D.; José M. Mato, Ph.D.; and Shelly C. Lu, M.D.

37 In Utero Alcohol Exposure, Epigenetic Changes, and Their Consequences [PDF]
Michelle Ungerer; Jaysen Knezovich, M.Sc.; and Michele Ramsay, Ph.D.

47 Epigenetic Effects of Ethanol on the Liver and Gastrointestinal System [PDF]
Shivendra D. Shukla, Ph.D., and Robert W. Lim, Ph.D.

57 Epigenetic Events in Liver Cancer Resulting From Alcoholic Liver Disease [PDF]
Samuel W. French, M.D.

69 Epigenetic Control of Gene Expression in the Alcoholic Brain [PDF]
Igor Ponomarev, Ph.D.

77 Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Cellular Differentiation: A Role for Polycomb and Trithorax Group Proteins in FAS Phenotypes? [PDF]
Kylee J. Veazey; Daria Muller; and Michael C. Golding, Ph.D.

87 Circadian Disruption: Potential Implications in Inflammatory and Metabolic Diseases Associated With Alcohol [PDF]
Robin M. Voigt, Ph.D.; Christopher B. Forsyth, Ph.D.; and Ali Keshavarzian, M.D.

97 Epigenetic Targets for Reversing Immune Defects Caused by Alcohol Exposure [PDF]
Brenda J. Curtis, Ph.D.; Anita Zahs, Ph.D.; and Elizabeth J. Kovacs, Ph.D.

114 Glossary [PDF]

Click here to download publication for Kindle

Click here to download publication for iPad and other readers

Click here to download publication in generic eBook format

Alcohol News - 34/2013

YLE.fi (Finland) - Ministry memo: Tighter controls, higher taxes for alcohol

Finland's Ministry of Social Affairs and Health issued a memorandum on Wednesday intended as the basis for revisions to alcohol legislation. Among the measures proposed are shorter sales hours, higher taxes on alcohol, and possibly lowering the permitted alcohol content of beers, ciders and pre-mixed drinks.

ScienceNordic (Sweden) - Alcohol intoxication major risk factor for dementia

Young-onset dementia has usually been blamed on genetic causes, but a Swedish study has revealed nine other risk factors for the illness – with alcohol intoxication being the worst.

The Copenhagen Post (Denmark) - Children trained to binge drink

After newspaper reveals that nightclubs are holding 'Young Club' events that teach children drinking games, children's minister calls for a stop.

IceNews (Finland/Estonia) - Finnish alcohol purchasing helps fund Estonian cultural activities

Finns taking the short boat ride to Estonia to stock up on alcohol is helping fund Estonian cultural activities and literature, as a percentage of alcohol taxes in the nearby country is put towards culture foundations.

The Moscow Times (Russia) - Alcohol Sales Could Be Restricted to Card-Only-Payments, Report Says

A State Duma Deputy has drafted a bill that would only allow alcohol to be purchased using bank cards, a news report said Monday. "Russia remains one of the world leaders in per capita alcohol consumption," said Oleg Mikheyev in an explanatory letter accompanying the bill. Mikheyev said the measure would allow the sale of alcohol to be better controlled, hindering sales to minors, Izvestia reported.

BG News - Alcohol abuse in college can cause brain damage, memory loss

While some freshmen may look forward to drinking during college weekends, they should be aware of the damage they will be doing to their brain.

National Institutes of Health - NIH study finds chronic alcohol use shifts brain’s control of behavior

Chronic alcohol exposure leads to brain adaptations that shift behavior control away from an area of the brain involved in complex decision-making and toward a region associated with habit formation, according to a new study conducted in mice by scientists at the National Institutes of Health.

Xinhua (Netherlands) - Feature: Dutch organization fights alcoholism troubles with alcohol

A volunteer organization in Amsterdam has found a new, unorthodox method to deal with alcohol addicts causing trouble in public parks, by providing beer in exchange for cleaning public spaces.

Independent Online (South Africa) - Ministers clash over alcohol ad bill

A proposed bill banning alcohol advertising has pitted two ministers against each other, triggering the Cabinet to intervene. The low-intensity war between Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini and Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula is brewing, as the latter argues that the government may lose half a billion rand if alcohol advertising is banned, as proposed in the bill.

International Business Times (USA) - 1 Out Of 3 ER Visits Are Alcohol Related: Here’s What The Patients Drank

Nearly one-third of all emergency-room visits for injuries in the U.S. are alcohol related. And a new study has found that certain types and brands of alcohol are more likely to be implicated.

AllAfrica.com (Uganda) - Uganda: Activists Want Another Five Percent Tax On Alcohol

Uganda Alcohol Policy Alliance (UAPA) wants a 5% tax increase on alcohol and the proceeds set aside as a rehabilitation fund for victims of alcoholism.

Payvand (Iran) - Tehran Allows Test Run Of Alcohol Addiction Treatment Center

Tehran has issued a licence for the establishment of the city's first alcohol rehabilitation centre. ISNA reports that the head of the Public Health Department's Addiction Prevention Centre announced that the licence is for a pilot project for the treatment of alcoholics.

Irish Health (Ireland) - Concern on alcohol spend figures

Alcohol Action Ireland has called on the Government to address our harmful relationship with alcohol. The call came after Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures revealed an increase in Ireland's alcohol spend in 2012.

The Costa Rica Star (Costa Rica) - Costa Ricans Not Able To Consume Alcohol In Moderation, Study Reveals

7 out of 10 Costa Ricans believe that Ticos are not able to consume alcohol in moderation, is the conclusion of a study by Educalcohol Costa Rica, for the Escuela de Estadística de la Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) – School of Statistics at the University of Costa Rica.

Southeast European Times - Alcohol a large growing problem in the region

According to a recent report, people in the EU drink 10.2 litres of alcohol per year, while the average in Serbia is even higher, 11 litres per inhabitant annually. Experts in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) warn that consumption in that country ranges from 9.6 to 40 litres, as there is no solid data. Macedonia treats only one tenth of its addicts.

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Acute alcohol effects on subtypes of impulsivity and the role of alcohol-outcome expectancies

It is well established that alcohol acutely impairs the ability to inhibit a pre

-potent response (motor impulsivity), but its effects on cognitive impulsivity, including temporal (delayed gratification) and reflection (decision making) impulsivity, are not clear. An important factor contributing to the effects of alcohol is cognitive expectancies of alcohol-related outcomes.

The current study investigated the effect of alcohol, and alcohol outcome expectancies, on subtypes of impulsivity.

Impulsivity was tested using the Stop Signal, the Single Key Impulsivity and the Information Sampling Task for motor, temporal and reflection impulsivity, respectively. Participants (n = 48) received placebo, a low (0.4 g/kg) or high dose (0.8 g/kg) of alcohol, before completing the impulsivity measures.

Motor impulsivity was affected by alcohol dose; participants receiving a high dose displayed reduced inhibitory control. Reflection impulsivity was affected by cognitive alcohol expectancies, but not by alcohol condition; participants expecting greater cognitive and behavioural impairment by alcohol exhibited low impulsivity. Temporal impulsivity was not affected by either alcohol dose or outcome expectancies.

These data suggest that the effects of alcohol on the subtypes of impulsivity are dissociable. Motor impulsivity is sensitive to the pharmacological effects of alcohol, whereas the reflection subtype is affected by cognitive alcohol expectancies. The findings have implications for the understanding of impulsive behaviour under the influence of alcohol.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: t.duka@sussex.ac.uk

Alcohol attenuates amygdala–frontal connectivity during processing social signals in heavy social drinkers

Convergent evidence shows that alcohol exerts its effects on social behavior via modulation of amygdala reactivity to affective stimuli. Given that affective processing involves dynamic interactions between the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex (PFC), alcohol’s effects are likely to extend beyond regional changes in brain activity to changes that manifest on a broader functional circuit level.

The current study examines alcohol’s effects on functional connectivity (i.e., "coupling") between the amygdala and the PFC during the processing of socio-emotional stimuli using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

In a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects cross-over design, 12 heavy, social drinkers performed an fMRI task designed to probe amygdala response to socio-emotional stimuli (angry, fearful, and happy faces) following acute ingestion of alcohol or placebo. Functional connectivity between the amygdala and PFC was examined and compared between alcohol and placebo sessions using a conventional generalized psychophysiological interaction (gPPI) analysis.

Relative to placebo, alcohol reduced functional coupling between the amygdala and the right orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) during processing of both angry and fearful faces. Alcohol also reduced functional coupling between the amygdala and left OFC during processing of happy faces.

These preliminary findings suggest that alcohol’s effects on social behavior may be mediated by alternations in functional connectivity between the amygdala and OFC during processing of emotional faces.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: klphan@uic.edu

Alcohol consumption enhances vection

We assessed changes in forward vection following alcohol consumption, and found that alcohol consumption enhanced vection. This result indicates that alcohol can affect psychophysical processes responsible for self-motion perception.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: seno@design.kyushu-u.ac.jp

Gender-Specific Gene–Environment Interaction in Alcohol Dependence: The Impact of Daily Life Events and GABRA2

Gender-moderated gene–environment interactions are rarely explored, raising concerns about inaccurate specification of etiological models and inferential errors.

The current study examined the influence of gender, negative and positive daily life events, and GABRA2 genotype (SNP rs279871) on alcohol dependence, testing two- and three-way interactions between these variables using multi-level regression models fit to data from 2,281 White participants in the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism.

Significant direct effects of variables of interest were identified, as well as gender-specific moderation of genetic risk on this SNP by social experiences. Higher levels of positive life events were protective for men with the high-risk genotype, but not among men with the low-risk genotype or women, regardless of genotype.

Our findings support the disinhibition theory of alcohol dependence, suggesting that gender differences in social norms, constraints and opportunities, and behavioral undercontrol may explain men and women’s distinct patterns of association.

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Requet Reprint E-Mail: breaperry@uky.edu

Genetic and Neurophysiological Correlates of the Age of Onset of Alcohol Use Disorders in Adolescents and Young Adults

Discrete time survival analysis was used to assess the age-specific
association of event-related oscillations (EROs) and CHRM2 gene variants on the onset of regular alcohol use and alcohol dependence.
The subjects were 2,938 adolescents and young adults ages 12–25.

Results showed that the CHRM2 gene variants and ERO risk factors had hazards which varied considerably with age. The bulk of the significant age-specific associations occurred in those whose age of onset was under 16. These associations were concentrated in those subjects who at some time took an illicit drug.

These results are consistent with studies which associate greater rates of alcohol dependence among those who begin drinking at an early age.

The age specificity of the genetic and neurophysiological factors is consistent with recent studies of adolescent brain development, which locate an interval of heightened vulnerability to substance use disorders in the early to mid teens.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: chorlian@hbnl.downstate.edu

Sunday, August 25, 2013

FASD News - 33/2013

NEWS and ARTICLES

Wort.lu (Luxembourg) - 16 percent of women in Luxembourg admit to drinking alcohol during pregnancy

According to a survey carried out by the Health Ministry at the Bohler Clinic and the Maternité Grande-Duchesse Charlotte between August and October 2012, 16 percent of the polled pregnant women consumed alcohol during their pregnancy.

KCSG (USA) - Aims To Raise Awareness During FASD Month With Launch Of Free Service For Pregnant Women

It’s been 40 years since Kenneth Lyons Jones, MD, and David Smith, MD, first identified Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) after examining several children with similar traits who had all been born to chronic alcoholic mothers. Today, despite the well-documented spectrum of negative physical and mental effects alcohol can have on the developing fetus, Jones says it’s a “major public concern” that 1 in 13 women still drink alcohol during pregnancy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

StarPhoenix (Canada) - Justice system needs to address FASD

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is a "major issue" that the justice system in our province needs to face, says a University of Saskatchewan law professor.

HealthCanal.com (Australia) - Boost for research and clinical care into Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

University of Sydney researcher, Professor Elizabeth Elliott, has had critical input into the federal government's $20 million grant announced today to fund research and prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).

PR Web - The Arc Reacts to New Book on Pregnancy Risks, Including Drinking Alcohol: “Why Risk It?”

As the leading organization supporting people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), The Arc is pushing back on the claims put forward in this book that could lead women to believe that light drinking during pregnancy is statistically safe.

The Herald - Alcohol and Pregnancy Advice in New Book is Flawed and Harmful

A new book, Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong-and What You Really Need to Know, misrepresents the risk of alcohol use during pregnancy by concluding that light drinking is completely safe, according to the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS).

MATERIALS and VIDEOS

CNSAAP - Essentials of … Women and Problematic Substance Use

Although the majority of women in Canada do not use substances problematically, the personal harms vary for those who do and include physical; psychological, emotional or behavioural; social; spiritual; familial; and legal consequences.

FASD Patient Education Video - Newborn Channel Version

This patient education video, produced by ACOG District II, addresses the prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders FASD. The piece was picked up by the Newborn Channel, which is available in more than 1,000 hospitals across America -- including nearly 80 hospitals in New York State and reaches more than 2.5 million new mothers every year.

RESEARCH

Journal of Research and Practice in Children's Services - Canadian Children and Youth in Care: The Cost of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

The study findings can be used to demonstrate the substantial economic burden that FASD places on the child welfare system. Attention towards the needs of this population and prevention efforts to reduce FASD incidence in Canada, and other countries are urgently needed.

CDC - Key Findings: The effects of alcohol use during pregnancy and later developmental outcomes: An analysis of previous studies

The journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research has published a meta-analysis of multiple studies examining how drinking patterns of women during pregnancy (such as low-to-moderate alcohol use or binge drinking*) can affect the development of their children.

International Journal of Circumpolar Health - An Examination of the Social Determinants of Health as Factors Related to Health, Healing and Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in a Northern Context – The Brightening Our Home Fires Project, Northwest Territories, Canada

This project drew 30 participants from: Yellowknife, Lutsel ‘ke, Behchoko¨ and Ulukhaktok. These four different communities across the NT represented Dene and Inuit culture. The qualitative data analysis offered themes of importance to women’s health in the north including: land and tradition; housing; poverty; food; family; health, mental health and trauma, and travel. Photovoice provides a non-threatening way to engage in dialogue on complex health and social issues.

International Journal of Circumpolar Health - Prenatal alcohol exposure among Alaska Native/American Indian infants

Recent reports indicate a decline in rates of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) among Alaska Native and American Indian (AN/AI) infants. Nevertheless, AN/AI infants remain disproportionately impacted by the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure.

Uknowledge - THE CULTURAL POLITICS OF FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS AND THE DIAGNOSIS OF DIFFERENCE

This dissertation is based on an ethnographic study of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and the racial, cultural and political considerations that shape the meaning of diagnosis for Alaska Native individuals and families in Anchorage, Alaska.

J Popul Ther Clin Pharmacol - Alcohol Consumption Among Women

Alcohol (ethanol) consumption in pregnancy is the etiology of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a leading cause of congenital disability worldwide. Hence, any attempt to prevent or manage FASD must start from comprehensive understanding of alcohol consumption by women in general, and by women of reproductive years in particular.

Alcohol - Neonatal ethanol exposure results in dose-dependent impairments in the acquisition and timing of the conditioned eyeblink response and altered cerebellar interpositus nucleus and hippocampal CA1 unit activity in adult rats

Exposure to ethanol in neonatal rats results in reduced neuronal numbers in the cerebellar cortex and deep nuclei of juvenile and adult animals. This reduction in cell numbers is correlated with impaired delay eyeblink conditioning (EBC), a simple motor learning task in which a neutral conditioned stimulus (CS; tone) is repeatedly paired with a co-terminating unconditioned stimulus (US; periorbital shock).

Pediatrics - Facial Dysmorphism Across the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum

Classic facial characteristics of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) are shortened palpebral fissures, smooth philtrum, and thin upper vermillion. We aim to help pediatricians detect facial dysmorphism across the fetal alcohol spectrum, especially among nonsyndromal heavily exposed (HE) individuals without classic facial characteristics.

Alcoholism - Impact of Combined Prenatal Ethanol and Prenatal Stress Exposure on Anxiety and Hippocampal-Sensitive Learning in Adult Offspring

Prenatal ethanol (EtOH) and prenatal stress have both been independently shown to induce learning deficits and anxiety behavior in adult offspring. However, the interactive effects of these 2 developmental teratogens on behavioral outcomes have not been systematically evaluated.

Alcoholism - Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Results in Long-Term Serotonin Neuron Deficits in Female Rats: Modulatory Role of Ovarian Steroids

Previous studies on male rodents found that prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) decreases the number of serotonin immunoreactive (5-HT-ir) neurons in the brainstem. However, data on the effects of PAE in females are lacking.

Alcoholism - Sensory-Motor Deficits in Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Assessed Using a Robotic Virtual Reality Platform

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is associated with a large number of cognitive and sensory-motor deficits. In particular, the accurate assessment of sensory-motor deficits in children with FASD is not always simple and relies on clinical assessment tools that may be coarse and subjective.

Alcoholism - Prenatal Ethanol (EtOH) Exposure Alters the Sensitivity of the Adult Dentate Gyrus to Acute EtOH Exposure

Prenatal ethanol (EtOH) exposure results in a spectrum of structural, cognitive, and behavioral abnormalities, collectively termed “fetal alcohol spectrum disorders” (FASDs).

Alcoholism - The Association of Mild, Moderate, and Binge Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Child Neuropsychological Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis

The objective of this review is to evaluate the literature on the association between mild, moderate, and binge prenatal alcohol exposure and child neurodevelopment.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Eurocare - Protecting the unborn baby from alcohol (17 September 2013)

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy is the leading known cause of birth defects and developmental disorders in the EU. The event is being held in partnership with the European FASD Alliance (EUFASD).

First International Conference on Prevention of FASD (September 23-25, 2013)

The first international conference to address the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention approaches to FASD.

NOFAS - Living with FASD 12-day Teleseminar (September 9, 2013)

The purpose of this telesummit is to provide families with information about practical strategies to implement at home, based on the newest FASD research. Speakers have been specially selected because they have experience on a professional level and also have first-hand experience raising children with FASD.

IN OTHER LANGUAGES

Derwesten.de (Germany) - Soester Adoptiveltern scheitern mit Klage

Die Adoptiveltern eines alkoholgeschädigten Kindes sind mit einer Schadenersatzklage gegen die Stadt Soest vor dem Oberlandesgericht Hamm gescheitert. Die Ansprüche seien verjährt, entschied jetzt der 11. Zivilsenat.

Borgestadklinikken (Norway) - Magasin om FASD

Som ledd i vårt informasjonsarbeid om alkoholrelaterte fosterskader har vi produsert et magasin med tema FASD. Fagfolk, forskere og brukere deler kunnskap og erfaringer.

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