Alcohol News - 7/2011

Views and News from Norway (Norway) - Alcohol sales brewing on the farm

Norway’s farmer-friendly Center Party (Senterpartiet, Sp) has decided to try to get its other government partners to allow sales of alcoholic beverages, including spirits, straight off the farms that produce them.

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MedIndia (Finland) - Link Between Sweet Taste and Alcohol

Alcoholics who have liking for sweetness are more likely to get away with alcohol consumption with the aid of a common drug , revealed in a study. David Sinclair and colleagues at the National Institute for Health and Welfare in Helsinki, Finland, asked 78 study subjects with alcohol dependence who had taken the drug recently to rate their preference for sugar solutions.

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Bird&Bird (Sweden) - Will the Swedish alcohol monopoly soon face local competition?

It finally looks like the deeply rooted Swedish liquor monopoly, Systembolaget, will face some competition after almost 60 years of state sanctioned monopoly. According to a Government Report, producers of alcoholic beverages may obtain the right to sell alcohol directly to the consumer from their own premises - an arrangement simply labeled “yard sales” in translation, or “gårdsförsäljning” in Swedish.

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Stockholm News (Sweden) - More alcohol smuggling from Germany

The private import of alcohol from Denmark and Germany is increasing and this is also the case for the illegal resale of alcohol according to the Swedish border customs.

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The Baltic Course (Lithuania) - Lithuania's abbots slam monk Svyturys-Utenos beer ad

Catholic monks in Lithuania are up in arms over a beer advert depicting their brethren raising glasses, saying it tarnishes their image and could encourage a boozy lifestyle.

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Medical News Today - WHO Study: Alcohol Is International Number One Killer, AIDS Second

Today the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that alcohol is to blame for just about 4% of, or 2.5 million deaths worldwide annually. Alcohol attributable injuries are of a growing concern to the public health community, with alcohol-related injuries such as road traffic accidents, burns, poisonings, falls and drownings making up more than a third of the disease burden attributable to alcohol consumption.

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The State (USA) - House bans sale of canned drinks that mix alcohol and caffeine

S.C. House lawmakers Wednesday approved banning Four Loko and other canned drinks that combine alcohol and caffeine.

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Barents Observer (Russia) - Every fifth Russian man dies of alcohol

The Russians drink an average of 15,76 liters of pure alcohol every year, which makes them the fourth most drinking country in the world, a new report from the World Health Organization reads.

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NECN (USA) - RAND group to study SD's 24/7 program

Attorney General Marty Jackley said the RAND Corporation will study the effectiveness of the state's 24/7 Sobriety Program.

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EurekAlert - Moderate-to-heavy alcohol intake may increase risk of atrial fibrillation

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm). Its name comes from the fibrillating (i.e., quivering) of the heart muscles of the atria, instead of a coordinated contraction. The result is an irregular heartbeat, which may occur in episodes lasting from minutes to weeks, or it could occur all the time for years. Atrial fibrillation alone is not in itself generally life-threatening, but it may result in palpitations, fainting, chest pain, or congestive heart failure.

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Examiner.com - Gulf Operation toxins could increase Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Gulf Coast pregnant women abstaining from alcohol to prevent Fetal Alcohol Syndrome might find their unborn babies are at risk of the disability due to Corexit that has been sprayed along with crude according to public health experts this week.

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BBC News (UK) - Drunk A&E patients 'should pay' for hospital treatment

Drunk people should pay for the treatment they receive at accident and emergency units, a patients' group has said.

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TVNZ (New Zealand) - Fresh call for alcohol sponsorship ban

The days of alcohol sponsorship of sport could well be numbered, a conference has been told.

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TheMedGuru (Australia) - More kids in Australia becoming alcohol addicts

Alcohol addiction among Australian kids is getting out of control, necessitating treatment for kids as young as 10 years.

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WalesOnline (Wales) - Alcohol watchdog calls for ban on drinks sport sponsorship

A REPORT has today called for the end of sports sponsorship by alcohol companies to stop young people becoming tomorrow’s problem drinkers.

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Times LIVE (South Africa) - Zuma calls for action against substance abuse

President Jacob Zuma has called for "concerted action" to deal with the abuse of alcohol and drugs in Mitchells Plain. Zuma said in a speech at the Sultan Bahu Treatment Centre in Mitchells Plain on Tuesday that he was concerned that the abuse of alcohol and drugs was becoming a fashionable part of the lives of "some" children.

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TopNews United States (Italy) - Alcohol And Drug Intake Triggers Unsatisfied Sex Among Italian Youth

As per the findings of a new survey, conducted by Sigo, a Roman organization for gynaecology and obstetrics, no less than 29% of young males and 35% of their fellow females are leading an unsatisfied sexual life.

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7thSpace Interactive - Developing a method to derive alcohol-attributable fractions for HIV/AIDS mortality based on alcohol's impact on adherence to antiretroviral medication

Alcohol consumption is causally linked to nonadherence to antiretroviral treatment that in turn causes an increase in HIV/AIDS mortality. This article presents a method to calculate the percentage of HIV/AIDS deaths attributable to alcohol consumption and the associated uncertainty.

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ABC Online (Australia) - Alcohol bans linked to lower STD rate

A new study in Western Australia has established for the first time a clear link between alcohol restrictions and a decrease in the level of sexually transmitted disease.

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Herald Scotland (Scotland) - One in 12 young Scotsmen in trouble linked to alcohol

SHOCKING new figures show the number of young Scots reprimanded by police for drinking has reached a record high.

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Addiction - ALCOHOL MARKETING RESEARCH AGENDA—LET US LOOK AT HOW THE INDUSTRY MAINTAINS ITS HEGEMONY

The paper by Meier and colleagues makes an important contribution to the alcohol policy research field [1]. There is a clear elucidation of some key research questions, the answers to which will allow for more informed discussion of alcohol marketing policy. It also contributes an excellent overview of the research evidence on mechanisms by which advertising has its effects and critique of some earlier alcohol marketing research.

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Rentention & Recovery Ccapital: reshaping & rethinking interventions

Attendance at the seminar is FREE. However, places are limited and anyone wishing to attend must complete the Registration Form and notify the organisers immediately if they are subsequently unable to attend. 

Throughout the UK there has been a resurgence of interest in - and demand for - addiction interventions which aspire to deliver full and sustained recovery. In Scotland, this development has been underpinned by the Scottish Government's publication of its Road to Recovery strategy and the establishment of the Scottish Drugs Recovery Consortium.

This half-day seminar, sponsored by the Scottish Drugs Recovery Consortium brings together internationally acclaimed researcher and teacher, George De Leon, respected UK recovery researcher, David Best and long-time recovery advocate Rowdy Yates (see the About page for full details of the speakers) to explore the related issues of retention and recovery capital. Read more...

Disaggregating the Burden of Substance Dependence in the United States

The primary purpose  of substance use epidemiology is to determine the magnitude of the problem with a view towards establishing public health, research priorities,
and anticipating treatment needs.

One way to characterize the magnitude of substance problems in the United States is to estimate the annual prevalence of the use of each specific substance and its associated conditional probability of dependence, i.e., the percentage of 12-month users with 12-month dependence. Substance dependence reflects one of the most severe substance use problems, often indicating a need for treatment.

Substance-specific estimates of prevalence and conditional probability of dependence also illustrate each substance’s contribution to the overall number of Americans affected by substance dependence.

Data from the Wave 1 2001 to 2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (Grant et al., 2001) provide unique evidence of the contributions of various substances to the overall burden of substance dependence in the United States.



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Request Reprint E-Mail:   bgrant@mail.nih.gov

A model of access to and continuance in Alcoholics Anonymous

These data from a nationally representative sample of US adults with alcohol use disorders revealed a robust significant association of high symptom severity with access, continuation and discontinuation from Alcoholics Anonymous.

The association of high symptom severity and negative life events supports the behavioral economic model of AA access and continuation as proposed in this paper.

Variables associated with access to AA were also associated with continuation in AA, except for the variables for gender and education level. Women were less likely to attend AA, but more likely to continue attending. College educated respondents were less likely to attend AA, but more likely to continue attending.

A sub-group of US adults with severe externalizing disorders, identified in this study, are associated with access to and continuation in AA

In the US there is a a significant geographic regional variation in access to and continuation in AA.

 

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Free Issue - Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research

Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research invites you to enjoy unlimited full-text access to a free 2011 issue - no registration required! 

Read Free Issue January 2011

Sleep homeostasis in alcohol-dependent, depressed and healthy control men

Visually scored and power spectral analyses (PSA) of polysomnography (PSG) recordings reveal abnormalities in alcohol dependence (AD) and major depressive disorder (MDD), including deficiencies in slow wave activity (SWA) during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. 

 

SWA parameters reflect the integrity of the homeostatic sleep drive, which have not been compared in those with AD or MDD.

 

Ten men with AD were compared with 10 men with MDD and 10 healthy controls (HCs), all aged 20–40 years. They maintained an 11 pm to 6 am sleep schedule for 5–7 days, followed by 3 consecutive nights of PSG in the laboratory: night 1 for adaptation/screening; night 2 for baseline recordings; and night 3 as the challenge night, delaying sleep until 2 am. SWA was quantified with PSA across 4 NREM periods

 

Men with AD generated the least SWA at baseline. In response to sleep delay, HC men showed the expected SWA enhancement and a sharper exponential decline across NREM periods. 

 

 

Both the MDD and the AD groups showed a significantly blunted SWA response to sleep delay. 

 

Men with MDD had the least SWA in the first NREM period (impaired accumulation of sleep drive), whereas men with AD had the slowest SWA decay rate (impaired dissipation of sleep drive). 

 

These results suggest that both SWA generation and its homeostatic regulation are impaired in men with either AD or MDD. 

 

Finding interventions that selectively improve these different components of sleep homeostasis should be a goal of treatment for AD and MDD. 

 

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Request Reprint E-Mail:   kbrower@umich.edu

Low plasma antibodies specific for phosphatidylethanol in alcohol abusers and patients with alcoholic pancreatitis

Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a group of alcohol-modified phospholipids present in cell membranes after heavy drinking. 

Our aim was to demonstrate the presence of human plasma antibodies binding to PEth and to address their specificity and value in detecting subjects engaged in heavy alcohol consumption. 

Antibodies to PEth were analyzed in plasma from heavy drinkers (n = 20), patients with alcoholic pancreatitis (n = 58) and control subjects (n = 24), using chemiluminescent immunoassay. 

Heavy drinkers and patients with alcoholic pancreatitis demonstrated significantly lower levels of plasma IgG, IgA and IgM titers to PEth compared with controls (P < 0.001).

The specificity of the antibodies to PEth was demonstrated with competitive liquid phase immunoassays and flow cytometry. 

The plasma IgG, but not IgA or IgM, titers to PEth in heavy drinkers correlated with the whole blood PEth concentration determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (r = 0.655, P = 0.002).

Compared with traditional markers for alcohol abuse (aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and mean corpuscular volume), receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that a low plasma IgA to PEth had the highest area under the curve (AUC 0.940, P < 0.001). 

In conclusion, plasma IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies binding specifically to PEth were found in subjects of all study groups. 

Subjects with heavy alcohol consumption showed markedly lower plasma immunoglobulin levels to PEth, potentially making them useful as a biomarker to distinguish heavy from moderate alcohol use.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: antti.nissinen@oulu.fi 

Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1A) antagonism suppresses both operant alcohol self-administration and high alcohol consumption in rats

The mechanisms involved in alcohol use disorders are complex. It has been shown that ghrelin is an important signal for the control of body weight homeostasis, preferably by interacting with hypothalamic circuits, as well as for drug reward by activating the mesolimbic dopamine system. 

The ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1A) has been shown to be required for alcohol-induced reward. Additionally, ghrelin increases and GHR-R1A antagonists reduce moderate alcohol consumption in mice, and a single nucleotide polymorphism in the GHS-R1A gene has been associated with high alcohol consumption in humans. 

However, the role of central ghrelin signaling in high alcohol consumption is not known. Therefore, the role of GHS-R1A in operant self-administration of alcohol in rats as well as for high alcohol consumption in Long-Evans rats and in alcohol preferring [Alko alcohol (AA)] rats was studied here. 

In the present study, the GHS-R1A antagonist, JMV2959, was found to reduce the operant self-administration of alcohol in rats and to decrease high alcohol intake in Long-Evans rats as well as in AA rats. 

These results suggest that the ghrelin receptor signaling system, specifically GHS-R1A, is required for operant self-administration of alcohol and for high alcohol intake in rats. 

Therefore, the GHS-R1A may be a therapeutic target for treatment of addictive behaviors, such as alcohol dependence.

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Request Reprint E-Mail:   selenab@gallo.ucsf.edu

A novel role for PSD-95 in mediating ethanol intoxication, drinking and place preference

The synaptic signaling mechanisms mediating the behavioral effects of ethanol (EtOH) remain poorly understood. 

Post-synaptic density 95 (PSD-95, SAP-90, Dlg4) is a key orchestrator of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) and glutamatergic synapses, which are known to be major sites of EtOH's behavioral actions. However, the potential contribution of PSD-95 to EtOH-related behaviors has not been established. 

Here, we evaluated knockout (KO) mice lacking PSD-95 for multiple measures of sensitivity to the acute intoxicating effects of EtOH (ataxia, hypothermia, sedation/hypnosis), EtOH drinking under conditions of free access and following deprivation, acquisition and long-term retention of EtOH conditioned place preference (CPP) (and lithium chloride-induced conditioned taste aversion), and intoxication-potentiating responses to NMDAR antagonism. 

PSD-95 KO exhibited increased sensitivity to the sedative/hypnotic, but not ataxic or hypothermic, effects of acute EtOH relative to wild-type controls (WT). 

PSD-95 KO consumed less EtOH than WT, particularly at higher EtOH concentrations, although increases in KO drinking could be induced by concentration-fading and deprivation. 

PSD-95 KO showed normal EtOH CPP 1 day after conditioning, but showed significant aversion 2 weeks later. 

Lithium chloride-induced taste aversion was impaired in PSD-95 KO at both time points. 

Finally, the EtOH-potentiating effects of the NMDAR antagonist MK-801 were intact in PSD-95 KO at the dose tested. 

These data reveal a major, novel role for PSD-95 in mediating EtOH behaviors, and add to growing evidence that PSD-95 is a key mediator of the effects of multiple abused drugs.

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Request Reprint E-Mail:  campmc@mail.nih.gov 

Neuroimmune regulation of alcohol consumption: behavioral validation of genes obtained from genomic studies

Analysis of mouse brain gene expression, using strains that differ in alcohol consumption, provided a number of novel candidate genes that potentially regulate alcohol consumption. 

We selected six genes [beta-2-microglobulin (B2m), cathepsin S (Ctss), cathepsin F (Ctsf), interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (Il1rn), CD14 molecule (Cd14) and interleukin 6 (Il6)] for behavioral validation using null mutant mice. These genes are known to be important for immune responses but were not specifically linked to alcohol consumption by previous research. 

Null mutant mice were tested for ethanol intake in three tests: 24-hour two-bottle choice, limited access two-bottle choice and limited access to one bottle of ethanol. Ethanol consumption and preference were reduced in all the null mutant mice in the 24-hour two-bottle choice test, the test that was the basis for selection of these genes. 

No major differences were observed in consumption of saccharin or quinine in the null mutant mice. Deletion of B2m, Ctss, Il1rn, Cd14 and Il6 also reduced ethanol consumption in the limited access two bottle choice test for ethanol intake; with the Il1rn and Ctss null mutants showing reduced intake in all three tests (with some variation between males and females). 

These results provide the most compelling evidence to date that global gene expression analysis can identify novel genetic determinants.

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Request Reprint E-Mail:   yablednov@mail.utexas.edu

Evidence that vasopressin V1b receptors mediate the transition to excessive drinking in ethanol-dependent rats

Alcoholism is a devastating condition that represents a progression from initial alcohol use to dependence. Although most individuals are capable of consuming alcohol in a limited fashion, the development of alcohol dependence in a subset of individuals is often associated with negative emotional states (including anxiety and depression). 

Since the alleviation of this negative motivational state via excessive alcohol consumption often becomes a central goal of alcoholics, the transition from initial use to dependence is postulated to be associated with a transition from positive to negative reinforcement mechanisms. 

Vasopressin is a neuropeptide known to potentiate the effects of CRF on the HPA axis, and emerging evidence also suggests a role for centrally located vasopressin acting on V_1b receptors in the regulation of stress- and anxiety-like behaviors in rodents. 

The present study determined state-dependent alterations in vasopressin/V_1bR signaling in an animal model of ethanol dependence. 

The V_1bR antagonist SSR149415 dose-dependently reduced excessive levels of ethanol self-administration observed in dependent animals without affecting the limited levels of ethanol drinking in non-dependent animals. 

Ethanol self-administration reduced V_1b receptor levels in the basolateral amygdala of non-dependent animals, a neuroadaptation that could theoretically facilitate the positive reinforcing effects of alcohol. 

In contrast, V_1bR levels were seemingly restored in ethanol-dependent rats, a switch that may in part underlie a transition from positive to negative reinforcement mechanisms with dependence. 

Together, our data suggest a key role for vasopressin/V_1bR signaling in the transition to ethanol dependence.

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edwards@scripps.edu

The delta opioid receptor antagonist, SoRI-9409, decreases yohimbine stress-induced reinstatement of ethanol-seeking

A major problem in treating alcohol use disorders (AUDs) is the high rate of relapse due to stress and re-exposure to cues or an environment previously associated with alcohol use. Stressors can induce relapse to alcohol-seeking in humans or reinstatement in rodents. Delta opioid peptide receptors (DOP-Rs) play a role in cue-induced reinstatement of ethanol-seeking; however, their role in stress-induced reinstatement of ethanol-seeking is not known. 

The objective of this study was to determine the role of DOP-Rs in yohimbine-stress-induced reinstatement of ethanol-seeking. 

Male, Long-Evans rats were trained to self-administer 10% ethanol in daily 30-minute operant self-administration sessions using a FR3 schedule of reinforcement, followed by extinction training. Once extinction criteria were met, we examined the effects of the DOP-R antagonist, SoRI-9409 (0–5 mg/kg, i.p.) on yohimbine (2 mg/kg, i.p.) stress-induced reinstatement. Additionally, DOP-R-stimulated [³⁵S]GTPγS binding was measured in brain membranes and plasma levels of corticosterone (CORT) were determined.

Pre-treatment with SoRI-9409 decreased yohimbine stress-induced reinstatement of ethanol-seeking but did not affect yohimbine-induced increases in plasma CORT levels. 

Additionally, yohimbine increased DOP-R-stimulated ³⁵[S]GTPγS binding in brain membranes of ethanol-trained rats, an effect that was inhibited by SoRI-9409. 

This suggests that the DOP-R plays an important role in yohimbine-stress-induced reinstatement of ethanol-seeking behavior, and DOP-R antagonists may be promising candidates for further development as a treatment for AUDs.

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Request Reprint E-Mail:   selenab@gallo.ucsf.edu  

Innate difference in the endocannabinoid signaling and its modulation by alcohol consumption in alcohol-preferring sP rats

The present study was undertaken to examine whether genetically predetermined differences in components of the endocannabinoid system were present in the brain of Sardinian alcohol-preferring (sP) and Sardinian alcohol-non-preferring (sNP) rats, a pair of rat lines selectively bred for opposite alcohol preference. 

The effects of acquisition and maintenance of alcohol drinking, alcohol withdrawal, and alcohol re-exposure on the endocannabinoid system was also assessed in the striatum of sP rats. 

The findings revealed significantly higher density of the CB1 receptors and levels of CB1 receptor mRNA, CB1 receptor-mediated G-protein coupling, and endocannabinoids in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and striatum of alcohol-naive sP rats than sNP rats. 

A significantly lower expression of mFAAH enzyme was evident in the hippocampus of alcohol-naive sP rats. 

Alcohol drinking (during both acquisition and maintenance phases) in sP rats resulted in a significant reduction in striatal CB1 receptor-mediated G-protein coupling whereas alcohol withdrawal attenuated this effect. 

Alcohol consumption was also associated with markedly increased levels of endocannabinoids in the striatum. Co-administration of the CB1 receptor antagonist, rimonabant (SR141716A) reduced alcohol intake, and reversed alcohol-induced changes in CB1 receptor-mediated G-protein activation. 

These findings provided a new insight into a potential genetic basis of excessive alcohol consumption, suggesting innate differences in the endocannabinoid system might be associated with higher alcohol preference in sP rats. 

The data also indicate a modulation of CB1 receptor-mediated signaling following alcohol consumption, and further strengthen the potential of the endocannabinoid system as a target for the treatment of alcohol related behaviors.

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Request Reprint E-Mail:   vyaragudri@nki.rfmh.org 

Making alcohol a health priority: opportunities to curb alcohol harms and reduce rising costs

This report highlights the rising trends of poor health and well-being linked to alcohol misuse in England and the poor state of the current public health response.

The report calls to action those who can turn this situation around by ensuring that alcohol is a public health and NHS priority and that sufficient resources are allocated to tackle alcohol misuse at a local and national level.

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The psychological impact of heavy drinking among the elderly on their co-residents: The 10/66 group population based survey in the Dominican Republic

There is very limited literature on alcohol use among the elderly and little is known about the impact it has on family and caregivers, especially in low and middle income countries.

To estimate the independent effect of heavy alcohol use among the elderly on the psychological health of their co-residents.

This is a secondary analysis using data from the comprehensive cross-sectional survey of the 10/66 dementia research group population-based research programme in the Dominican Republic. The characteristics of the elderly participants as well as the co-residents were described. The independent association of heavy drinking among the participants with psychological morbidity in their co-residents was estimated. Different models were generated to rule out potential mediating effects of disability and behavioural symptoms.

Prevalence of heavy alcohol use in the elderly in Dominican Republic was 10.6%. 

There was a statistically significant independent effect of heavy alcohol use by the elderly on their co-residents mental health (PR = 1.47; 95% CI 1.07–2.01) which was not accounted by disability (Sobel–Goodman test, p = 0.15). Severity of psychological and behavioural symptoms partially (29.1% of the total effect) explained this association (Sobel–Goodman mediation test, p = 0.006).

Health services for the elderly in low and middle income countries will have to be configured around detection of alcohol problems among the elderly as well as offering appropriate support to their co-residents.


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Request Reprint E-Mail: abhijit.nadkarni@slam.nhs.uk   

Population screening of risky alcohol and drug use via Internet and Interactive Voice Response (IVR): A feasibility and psychometric study in a random sample

The wide accessibility of computer-based technologies like the Internet and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems raises the question of whether population survey data could be collected more easily and cheaply compared to using paper questionnaires. In the area of possibly stigmatized behaviors such as problematic alcohol and drug use, the question extends to whether the prevalence of such behaviors in the general population could be surveyed without compromising the quality of the data.

This study compares Internet and IVR versions of the AUDIT and DUDIT with respect to: (1) response rate, (2) problematic alcohol and drug use and (3) reliability.

5000 individuals, randomly selected from the Swedish general population, were contacted via postal mail and invited to complete the AUDIT and DUDIT questionnaires via Internet or IVR. In total, 1861 (37.8%) participated in the study, 1089 via Internet and 772 via IVR.

The Internet administration mode yielded a higher response rate (38.1%) compared to the IVR mode (33.9%). When respondents were given a choice between Internet and IVR, a higher response rate resulted (43.2–46.6%). Problematic alcohol and drug use occurred among 21.1% and 2.8% of the sample, respectively, with no significant differences by administration mode. Both the AUDIT and DUDIT exhibited satisfactory reliability across administration modes, Cronbach's α
0.76/0.86.

Data quality does not deteriorate with computerized administration methods for the AUDIT and DUDIT in population studies but paper questionnaires should also be made available to respondents in order to maximize response rates.


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Request Reprint E-Mail:   kristina.sinadinovic@ki.se 

Chronic alcohol consumption impairs visuo-spatial associative memory in periadolescent rhesus monkeys

Alcohol abuse in the adult is often preceded by high alcohol consumption during adolescence. Profound changes in brain structure and function occur during this developmental period, therefore alcohol may impact essential cognitive skill development during the formal educational years. 

The objective of this study was to determine if chronic oral alcohol intake slows acquisition and performance of cognitive tasks in male adolescent rhesus monkeys. 

Treatment groups (Alcohol, N = 4; Control, N = 3) were evaluated on bimanual dexterity and tests of visuo-spatial memory and learning adapted from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. Animals were trained daily in 30 min sessions and had subsequent access to alcohol/Tang^® solutions (Alcohol group) or Tang^® only (Control group) Monday through Friday for 11 months. Recordings of brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BSAEP) were conducted periodically before and during the chronic drinking.  

Chronic alcohol drinking (ave of 1.78 g/kg alcohol per session) impaired behavioral performance assessed 22 h after the prior drinking session. 

The Alcohol group required more trials than the Control group to reach criterion on the visuo-spatial memory task and showed increased sensitivity to trial difficulty and retention interval. Alcohol animals also had slowed initial acquisition of the bimanual task. The latency of P4 and P5 BSAEP peaks were also delayed in the Alcohol group. 

Chronic alcohol consumption impaired the acquisition and performance of a spatial memory task and disrupted brainstem auditory processing, thus these results show that repeated alcohol exposure in adolescence interferes with a range of brain functions including complex visuo-spatial mnemonic processing.



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Request Reprint E-Mail:  mtaffe@scripps.edu 

Response to alcohol in women: Role of the menstrual cycle and a family history of alcoholism

The present study determined whether: (1) the response to alcohol varied as a function of menstrual cycle phase and (2) women with a paternal history of alcoholism (FHP) were less sensitive to the effects of alcohol compared to women without a family history of alcoholism (FHN). 

The behavioral effects of alcohol (0.00, 0.25, and 0.75 g/kg) were evaluated in 21 FHN and 24 FHP women; each dose was tested during both the midfollicular and late luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. 

Baseline negative mood was increased during the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase (increased Beck Depression scores and decreased Vigor, Arousal, and Friendly scores). 

Alcohol increased ratings of Drug Liking and Good Drug Effect more in the luteal phase than the follicular phase. 

FHP women had greater negative mood during the luteal phase and some of these dysphoric effects were increased by alcohol more in FHP women than FHN women. 

Alcohol impaired performance, with no group or menstrual cycle differences. However, consistent with previous studies, FHP women were less impaired by alcohol than FHN women on the balance task. 

These data indicate that (1) the differences in response to alcohol across the menstrual cycle are subtle, although alcohol is liked more during the luteal phase; (2) increases in dysphoric mood during the luteal phase are more pronounced in FHP women compared to FHN women, particularly after alcohol; and (3) the differences observed in response to alcohol between FHP and FHN women are less pronounced than previously shown in men.


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Request Reprint E-Mail:  se18@columbia.edu 

Self-stigma in alcohol dependence: Consequences for drinking-refusal self-efficacy

Public stigma and self-stigma are two facets of mental illness stigma. Self-stigma denotes the internalization of negative public perceptions by persons with mental illness and has been shown to decrease general self-efficacy.

To date, self-stigma has not been examined in people suffering from alcohol dependence, a particularly severely stigmatized mental disorder.

By adopting the Self-Stigma in Mental Illness Scale (SSMI), we developed the Self-Stigma in Alcohol Dependence Scale (SSAD). The scale is based on a focus-group derived list of 16 negative stereotypes about alcohol dependent persons. It consists of four 16-item subscales measuring four hypothetical stages of self-stigma, stereotype awareness (aware), stereotype agreement (agree), self-concurrence (apply), and self-esteem decrement (harm). 

We employed the SSAD in a cross-sectional study of 153 patients hospitalized for alcohol detoxification to examine its reliability and validity.

The four stages of self-stigma could be reliably measured with the SSAD (Cronbach's alpha, 0.86–0.93). Each step in the process of self-stigmatization was most closely associated with its preceding step. Other significantly related independent variables in multiple regression analyses included desire for social distance (associated with agree), duration of drinking problems (associated with apply) and depressive symptoms (associated with apply and harm). Both apply and harm were significantly related to reduced drinking-refusal self-efficacy in analyses controlling for depressive symptoms and variables related to duration and severity of the drinking problem.

The SSAD showed good validity and reliability measuring the stages of self-stigma in this group. Self-stigma appears to be associated with lower drinking-refusal self-efficacy.


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Request Reprint E-Mail: georg.schomerus@uni-greifswald.de

Ethanol Exposure in Early Adolescence Inhibits Intrinsic Neuronal Plasticity via Sigma-1 Receptor Activation in Hippocampal CA1 Neurons

We demonstrated previously that rats exposed to chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) vapors in early adolescence show increased magnitudes of long-term potentiation (LTP) of excitatory transmission when recorded at dendritic synapses in hippocampus. Large amplitude LTP following CIE exposure is mediated by sigma-1 receptors; however, not yet addressed is the role of sigma-1 receptors in modulating the intrinsic properties of neurons to alter their action potential firing during LTP.

Activity-induced plasticity of spike firing was investigated using rat hippocampal slice recordings to measure changes in both field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) and population spikes (pop. spikes) concomitantly at dendritic inputs and soma of CA1 pyramidal neurons, respectively.

We observed unique modifications in plasticity of action potential firing in hippocampal slices from CIE exposed adolescent rats, where the induction of large amplitude LTP by 100 Hz stimulations was accompanied by reduced CA1 neuronal excitability––reflected as decreased pop. spike efficacy and impaired activity-induced fEPSP-to-spike (E-S) potentiation. 

In contrast, LTP induction in ethanol-naïve control slices resulted in increased spike efficacy and robust E-S potentiation. 

E-S potentiation impairments emerged at 24 hours after CIE treatment cessation, but not before the alcohol withdrawal period, and were restored with bath-application of the sigma-1 receptor selective antagonist BD1047, but not the NMDA receptor antagonist d-AP5. 

Further evidence revealed a significantly shortened somatic fEPSP time course in adolescent CIE-withdrawn hippocampal slices during LTP; however, paired-pulse data show no apparent correspondence between E-S dissociation and altered recurrent feedback inhibition.

Results here suggest that acute withdrawal from adolescent CIE exposure triggers sigma-1 receptors that act to depress the efficacy of excitatory inputs in triggering action potentials during LTP. Such withdrawal-induced depression of E-S plasticity in hippocampus probably entails sigma-1 receptor modulation of 1 or several voltage-gated ion channels controlling the neuronal input–output dynamics.



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Request Reprint E-Mail:    jsabeti@binghamton.edu 

Development of Ethanol Withdrawal-Related Sensitization and Relapse Drinking in Mice Selected for High- or Low-Ethanol Preference

Previous studies have shown that high alcohol consumption is associated with low withdrawal susceptibility, while at the same time, other studies have shown that exposure to ethanol vapor increases alcohol drinking in rats and mice. 

In the present studies, we sought to shed light on this seeming contradiction using mice selectively bred for High- (HAP) and Low- (LAP) Alcohol Preference, first, assessing these lines for differences in signs of ethanol withdrawal and second, for differences in the efficacy of intermittent alcohol vapor exposure on elevating subsequent ethanol intake.

Experiment 1 examined whether these lines of mice differed in ethanol withdrawal-induced CNS hyperexcitability and the development of sensitization to this effect following intermittent ethanol vapor exposure. Adult HAP and LAP lines (replicates 1 and 2), and the C3H/HeNcr inbred strain (included as a control genotype for comparison purposes) received intermittent exposure to ethanol vapor and were evaluated for ethanol withdrawal-induced seizures assessed by scoring handling-induced convulsions (HIC). 

Experiment 2 examined the influence of chronic intermittent ethanol exposure on voluntary ethanol drinking. Adult male and female HAP-2 and LAP-2 mice, along with male C57BL/6J (included as comparative controls) were trained to drink 10% ethanol using a limited access (2 h/d) 2-bottle choice paradigm. After stable baseline daily intake was established, mice received chronic intermittent ethanol vapor exposure in inhalation chambers. Ethanol intake sessions resumed 72 hours after final ethanol (or air) exposure for 5 consecutive days.

Following chronic ethanol treatment, LAP mice exhibited overall greater withdrawal seizure activity compared with HAP mice. In Experiment 2, chronic ethanol exposure/withdrawal resulted in a significant increase in ethanol intake in male C57BL/6J, and modestly elevated intake in HAP-2 male mice. Ethanol intake for male control mice did not change from baseline levels of intake. In contrast, HAP-2 female and LAP-2 mice of both sexes did not show changes in ethanol intake as a consequence of intermittent ethanol exposure.

Overall, these results indicate that the magnitude of ethanol withdrawal-related seizures is inversely related to inherited ethanol intake preference.

Additionally, intermittent ethanol vapor exposure appears more likely to affect high-drinking mice (C57BL/6J and HAP-2) than low drinkers, although these animals are less affected by ethanol withdrawal.



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Request Reprint E-Mail:   lopezm@musc.edu

Genomewide Association Analysis of Symptoms of Alcohol Dependence in the Molecular Genetics of Schizophrenia (MGS2) Control Sample

While genetic influences on alcohol dependence (AD) are substantial, progress in the identification of individual genetic variants that impact on risk has been difficult.

We performed a genome-wide association study on 3,169 alcohol consuming subjects from the population-based Molecular Genetics of Schizophrenia (MGS2) control sample. Subjects were asked 7 questions about symptoms of AD which were analyzed by confirmatory factor analysis. Genotyping was performed using the Affymetrix 6.0 array. Three sets of analyses were conducted separately for European American (EA, n = 2,357) and African-American (AA, n = 812) subjects: individual single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), candidate genes and enriched pathways using gene ontology (GO) categories.

The symptoms of AD formed a highly coherent single factor. No SNP approached genome-wide significance. In the EA sample, the most significant intragenic SNP was in KCNMA1, the human homolog of the slo-1 gene in C. Elegans. 

Genes with clusters of significant SNPs included AKAP9, phosphatidylinositol glycan anchor biosynthesis, class G (PIGG), and KCNMA1.

In the AA sample, the most significant intragenic SNP was CEACAM6 and genes showing empirically significant SNPs included KCNQ5, SLC35B4, and MGLL. 

In the candidate gene based analyses, the most significant findings were with ADH1C, nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells 1 (NFKB1) and ankyrin repeat and kinase domain containing 1 (ANKK1) in the EA sample, and ADH5, POMC, and CHRM2 in the AA sample. 

The ALIGATOR program identified a significant excess of associated SNPs within and near genes in a substantial number of GO categories over a range of statistical stringencies in both the EA and AA sample.

While we cannot be highly confident about any single result from these analyses, a number of findings were suggestive and worthy of follow-up. Although quite large samples will be needed to obtain requisite power, the study of AD symptoms in general population samples is a viable complement to case–control studies in identifying genetic risk variants for AD.


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Request Reprint E-Mail:  kendler@vcu.edu  

Item Response Theory Analysis of Binge Drinking and Its Relationship to Lifetime Alcohol Use Disorder Symptom Severity in an American Indian Community Sample

Item response theory (IRT) has been used to examine alcohol use disorder (AUD) symptoms and their psychometric properties but has not been previously applied to AUD symptoms from an American Indian sample.

Lifetime DSM-IV AUD symptoms and binge drinking (5+ drinks men/4+ drinks women) at ≥1, ≥4, ≥8, and ≥15 days per month during the period of heaviest lifetime drinking criteria were assessed in 530 American Indian participants. Exploratory factor analysis was used to examine the factor structure of the 10 AUD symptoms and each alcohol consumption criterion. Two-parameter IRT models generated marginal maximum likelihood estimates for discrimination (a) and threshold (b) parameters for 10 DSM-IV AUD symptoms and each consumption criterion. Differential item functioning (DIF) analysis was used to assess AUD symptom severity in groups defined by gender and age at interview.

The AUD symptoms of “Withdrawal” and “Activities Given Up” were the most severe symptoms. “Tolerance” and “Social/Interpersonal Problems” were the least severe. All AUD symptoms fell on the moderate portion of the severity continuum, except “Withdrawal,” which fell at the lower end of the severe portion. The consumption criterion of 5+/4+ (male/female) at ≥8 times per month demarcated the portion of the severity continuum where AUD symptoms began to occur at a probability of 50%. DIF analysis showed significant gender and age at interview differences for “Hazardous Use,”“Tolerance,” and “Activities Given Up,” but not for the other AUD symptoms.

In this American Indian community sample, alcohol abuse and dependence did not represent distinct disorders. Only one AUD symptom was found outside the moderate portion of the underlying AUD severity continuum. Drinking 5+/4+ (male/female) drinks at a frequency of ≥8 times per month during the period of heaviest lifetime drinking was found to function well as both a risk and a diagnostic criterion for lifetime DSM-IV AUD. 

DSM-IV AUD symptom criteria, as currently assessed, may be limited in their ability to capture the full range of symptom severity of AUDs, at least in this high-risk population.


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Request Reprint E-Mail: cindye@scripps.edu  

The Enduring Influence of Drinking Motives on Alcohol Consumption After Fateful Trauma

Drinking motives predict later levels of alcohol consumption and development of alcohol dependence, but their effects on stress-related drinking are less clear. Proximity to the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center (WTC) on 9/11/01 was significantly associated with alcohol consumption 1 and 16 weeks after 9/11/01. 

We investigated the relationship between drinking motives measured a decade earlier, proximity to the WTC, and drinking after 9/11/01. This event constitutes a natural experiment for studying the effects of previously measured drinking motives on alcohol consumption after fateful trauma.
 

Adult drinkers (N = 644) residing in a New Jersey county were evaluated for four drinking motives: coping with negative affect, for enjoyment, for social facilitation and social pressure. After 9/11/01, their exposure to the WTC attack and subsequent drinking were assessed. Poisson regression was used to assess the relationships between proximity to the WTC, drinking motives and post-9/11/01 drinking; models were adjusted for alcohol dependence, age, gender and race.

Drinking to cope with negative affect predicted alcohol consumption 1 week after 9/11/01 (p = 0.04) and drinking for enjoyment predicted drinking 1 and 16 weeks after 9/11/01 (p = 0.001 and 0.01, respectively). The associations were independent of proximity to the WTC. No interactions were observed between drinking motives, proximity to the WTC or lifetime alcohol dependence.

Drinking motives a decade earlier predicted higher alcohol consumption after fateful trauma independently from proximity to the WTC on 9/11/01. Results suggest that drinking motives constitute a robust, enduring influence on drinking behavior, including after traumatic experiences.


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Request Reprint E-Mail:  dsh2@columbia.edu