Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

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Wednesday, May 1, 2013

European Alcohol and Health Forum



12th plenary meeting
Brussels, 25 April 2013


The 12th Plenary meeting of the European Alcohol and Health Forum (EAHF) took place on 25 April 2013 in Brussels, with two main focus areas:

- CEOs global initiatives to reduce alcohol related harm;

- Lowering alcoholic strength of drinks.



Read Full Report   (PDF)



Presentations
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Neural Correlates of Impulsivity in Healthy Males and Females with Family Histories of Alcoholism



Individuals family-history positive (FHP) for alcoholism have increased risk for the disorder, which may be mediated by intermediate behavioral traits such as impulsivity. Given the sex differences in the risk for and clinical presentation of addictive disorders, risk for addiction may be differentially mediated by impulsivity within FHP males and females.

FHP (N=28) and family-history negative (FHN, N=31) healthy, non-substance-abusing adults completed an fMRI Go/No-Go task and were assessed on impulsivity and alcohol use. Effects of family history and sex were investigated as were associations between neural correlates of impulse control and out-of-scanner measures of impulsivity and alcohol use.

FHP individuals showed greater activation in the left anterior insula and inferior frontal gyrus during successful inhibitions, an effect that was driven primarily by FHP males. Higher self-reported impulsivity and behavioral discounting impulsivity, but not alcohol use measures, were associated with greater BOLD signal in the region that differentiated the FHP and FHN groups. Impulsivity factors were associated with alcohol use measures across the FHP and FHN groups.

These findings are consistent with increased risk for addiction among FHP individuals being conferred through disrupted function within neural systems important for impulse control.


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Request Reprint E-Mail:    elise.devito@yale.edu
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Beer Flavor Provokes Striatal Dopamine Release in Male Drinkers: Mediation by Family History of Alcoholism




 

Striatal dopamine (DA) is increased by virtually all drugs of abuse, including alcohol. However, drug-associated cues are also known to provoke striatal DA transmission- a phenomenon linked to the motivated behaviors associated with addiction. To our knowledge, no one has tested if alcohol’s classically conditioned flavor cues, in the absence of a significant pharmacologic effect, are capable of eliciting striatal DA release in humans.

Employing positron emission tomography (PET), we hypothesized that beer’s flavor alone can reduce the binding potential (BP) of [11C]raclopride (RAC; a reflection of striatal DA release) in the ventral striatum, relative to an appetitive flavor control.

Forty-nine men, ranging from social to heavy drinking, mean age 25, with a varied family history of alcoholism underwent two [11C]RAC PET scans: one while tasting beer, and one while tasting Gatorade.

Relative to the control flavor of Gatorade, beer flavor significantly increased self-reported desire to drink, and reduced [11C]RAC BP, indicating that the alcohol-associated flavor cues induced DA release. BP reductions were strongest in subjects with first-degree alcoholic relatives.

These results demonstrate that alcohol-conditioned flavor cues can provoke ventral striatal DA release, absent significant pharmacologic effects, and that the response is strongest in subjects with a greater genetic risk for alcoholism. Striatal DA responses to salient alcohol cues may thus be an inherited risk factor for alcoholism.


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Request Reprint E-Mail:   dkareken@iupui.edu.
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Critique 110: Divergent effects of regular moderate and binge drinking – 30 April 2013




Forum Comments

The present study relates alcohol consumption during middle age to mortality over more than 20 years among a large cohort of subjects in Norway. In this study, the alcohol drinking pattern most commonly reported was heavy drinking on infrequent occasions. Previous research has demonstrated that a very different drinking pattern – the frequent consumption of small amounts of alcohol – is generally considered to be the pattern associated with most health benefits.

Specific comments on the present study: This paper from Norway has some unusual aspects, as it appears that most alcohol consumption in the subjects in this follow-up study occurred once a week or less frequently, but with the consumption of large amounts of alcohol on each drinking day. Only about 11% of men and 3% of women consumed alcohol more than once a week. Further, of 5,811 men who consumed alcohol, 4,411 (76%) reported binge drinking (≥ 5 drinks/occasion) at least once during the preceding year; among the 6,123 women in the study, 36% reported binge drinking “a few times last year” or more frequently.

In the present study, both men and women who reported consuming alcohol up to twice a month had about 20% lower mortality than did abstainers. All groups reporting binge drinking had higher mortality than non-binge drinkers (which was statistically significant for men and similar in estimated effect among women). The effects of alcohol intake on the risks of cardiovascular and ischemic heart disease mortality were similar to the risk of total mortality, being lower among drinkers but higher among those who reported binge drinking.  > > > >  Read More
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Historical variation in drug use trajectories across the transition to adulthood: The trend toward lower intercepts and steeper, ascending slopes




This study examines historical variation in individual trajectories of heavy drinking and marijuana use from age 18 to 22. Unlike most studies that have examined cohort differences in drug use, it focuses on differences in both level of use and rates of change (growth).

Nearly 39,000 youths from the high school classes of 1976–2004 were surveyed at biennial intervals between the ages of 18 and 22 as part of the national Monitoring the Future study.

Between 1976 and 2004, adolescent heavy drinking decreased substantially. However, because the age 18–22 heavy drinking growth rate increased threefold for males and sixfold for females during this period, heavy drinking among 21- to 22-year-olds remained largely stable.

The growth rate for marijuana use was more stable across cohorts, and historical declines in use were sizable across the entire 18–22 age band.

Generally, historical variation in use was unrelated to college status and living arrangements as well as to historical changes in the distribution of young adult social roles.

Findings suggest that historical fluctuations in use were less the result of proximal young adult factors and more the result of historical variation in distal adolescent factors, the effect of which diminished with age, especially for heavy drinking.



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Request Reprint E-Mail:   jagerjo@mail.nih.gov
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Brain Structure in Adolescents and Young Adults with Alcohol Problems: Systematic Review of Imaging Studies


 

Alcohol-dependent people who are middle-aged or older have a widespread loss of cortical grey and white matter, particularly in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). We examine if brain abnormalities are detectable in alcohol use disorders before the fifth decade, and the brain structural differences associated with alcohol abuse/dependence in adolescence

Case–control studies comparing brain structure in alcohol-abusing/-dependent individuals with normal controls were identified using Medline, EMBASE and PsychInfo. Studies in which mean age was over and under 21 were considered separately.

Twelve papers fulfilled inclusion criteria, five in the adolescent (14–21) and seven in the young adult age range. Two independent groups reported hippocampal and prefrontal volume reductions in adolescents, although this was consistently observed only in females. In young adults (aged 21–40), there were grey matter deficits in the PFC in both sexes. Adult women appeared to, particularly, exhibit white matter differences, evident as reduced area of the corpus callosum. Hippocampal volume reduction was observed in one study of young adults study but not another.

The available data suggest that quantitative structural abnormalities of the brain are detectable in young alcohol abusers. There is overlap between the abnormalities seen in adolescents and young adults, although hippocampal volume loss is most consistently seen in the former group. The adolescent hippocampus may be particularly susceptible to alcohol, potentially because of an interaction between adolescent brain development and alcohol exposure.


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Request Reprint E-Mail:      kwelch1@staffmail.ed.ac.uk
                 
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Improved Drinking Behaviour Improves Quality of Life: A Follow-Up in Alcohol-Dependent Subjects 7 Years After Treatment

 


The present study relates alcohol-dependent patients' Quality of Life (QoL) 7 years after treatment to drinking status as the conventional endpoint of trials. Potential moderating factors such as patients' smoking status, additional healthcare usage and stressful life events were accounted for.

Seven years after being treated for alcoholism, n = 127 alcohol-dependent patients filled out the Munich List of Quality of Life Dimensions (MLDL), a generic QoL questionnaire and were re-examined in telephone interviews. Patients' drinking and smoking behaviours during the previous year and additional healthcare usage and whether or not they had experienced stressful life events during the whole follow-up period were assessed.                    

Patients reporting abstinence or improved drinking showed significantly higher QoL ratings than patients whose drinking had not improved. Smoking status had no significant effect on QoL. Patients who used additional healthcare during the follow-up period reported lower QoL. The same was true of those who had experienced stressful life events.

Improved drinking after a 7-year follow-up is associated with improved QoL even when considering other factors such as additional healthcare use and stressful life events. We conclude that QoL can be an additional endpoint in treatment trials.


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Request Reprint E-Mail:   ulrich.frischknecht@zi-mannheim.de
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Acute Alcohol Intoxication Characteristics in Children




To describe clinical, mental and physical signs in children with different severity acute alcohol intoxication (AAI) determined either by serum alcohol concentration (SAC) or by blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to study the diagnostic performance characteristics of clinical assessment and to establish the ratio of SAC:BAC in children.

Data were analysed from 256 children aged 8.4–17.9 years who were hospitalized at Estonia's two children's hospitals over a 3-year period. In each case, the on-call paediatrician completed a special form about the clinical, mental (consciousness, balance and speech) and physical (muscle tone, blood pressure, pulse and body temperature) signs of AAI. Blood samples were drawn for measurements of SAC and BAC. Diagnostic performance characteristics (sensitivity, specificity, efficiency) of the clinical assessments and the SAC:BAC ratio were calculated.

The most correctly described signs in children in different SAC groups were consciousness (rs = 0.16) and speech (rs = 0.13) (P < 0.0001). The severity of alteration of consciousness and degrees of disturbance in balance and speech were positively correlated with SAC (P < 0.001). The clinical judgment matched better with AAI determined by SAC rather than by BAC with the mean efficiency. The mean ratio between SAC and BAC was 1.19 ± 0.13 (P < 0.001) in children.

The level of consciousness is the leading sign in the clinical evaluation of children with AAI and correlates well with SAC. The severity of AAI judged by clinical assessment matched better with AAI severity stages determined by SAC than by BAC. For legal cases where BAC is required, the SAC:BAC ratio of 1.19:1 should be used in children regardless of their gender or age.


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Request Reprint E-Mail:   mailis.tonisson@ut.ee
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Alcohol Use Disorders and Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis



To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on all-cause mortality in people with alcohol use disorders.
 
Using the MOOSE guidelines, studies were identified through MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science up to August, 2012. Prospective and historical cohort studies including a comparison of alcohol use disorder with a control group investigating all-cause mortality risk were included.
 
This meta-analysis included 81 observational studies with 221 683 observed deaths among 853 722 people with alcohol use disorder. In men, the relative risk (RR) among clinical samples was 3.38 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.98-3.84); in women it was 4.57 (95% CI: 3.86-5.42). Alcohol use disorders identified in general population surveys showed a 2-fold higher risk compared with no alcohol use disorder in men; no data were available for women. RRs were markedly higher for those ≤40 years old (8-fold in men, 13-fold in women) while still being at least 2-fold among those 60 years or older.
 
Mortality in people with alcohol use disorders is markedly higher than previously thought. Women have generally higher mortality risks than men. Among all people with alcohol use disorders, people in younger age groups and people in treatment show substantially higher mortality risk than others in that group.

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Request Reprint E-Mail:   m.roerecke@web.de

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Doctors Treating Alcoholics Should Go to Some AA Meetings: Expert


Clinicians who treat patients dealing with alcohol abuse often refer them to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), but many have never gone to a meeting and are not familiar with what goes on there, according to an expert on Twelve-Step programs.

“Any doctor treating addicted people should go to at least a few AA meetings, so they can discuss it with patients in a knowledgeable way,” says Marc Galanter, MD, Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Division of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse at NYU Langone Medical Center. “It’s very experiential, and doctors should have a sense of it. They should also learn the steps of AA.”   > > > >  Read More
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Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Alcohol Use During Pregnancy in Canada: How Policy Moments Can Create Opportunities for Promoting Women’s Health



This article addresses the challenge of igniting action on health promotion for women in Canada with respect to alcohol use during pregnancy.

We illustrate that accelerated action on health promotion for women that engages multiple levels of players, women-centred and harm-reduction frameworks and a gendered approach to understanding women’s lives can be achieved when the right policy moment occurs.

We illustrate this by describing the opportunity afforded by the Olympic Games in 2010, where the BC government used the Games to encourage action on women’s health promotion and the prevention of alcohol use in pregnancy.

We suggest that the 2011 announcement of new low-risk drinking guidelines that recommend lower intake of alcohol for women than for men offers another, to date unused, opportunity.
 
 
 
Request Reprint E-Mail:      npoole@cw.bc.ca.
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Coping Strategies Predictive of Adverse Outcomes among Community Adults




To examine associations between coping strategies at baseline and adverse outcomes 13 years later, and whether gender and age moderated these associations.
 
Participants (N = 651) completed a survey on demographic characteristics, coping strategies, and psychosocial outcomes (negative life events, alcohol consumption, drinking problems, and suicidal ideation).
 
At the follow-up (N = 521), more use of avoidance coping was associated with more drinking problems and suicidal ideation at follow-up. Men high in avoidance coping reported more alcohol consumption and suicidal ideation at follow-up than did men low on avoidance coping. Younger adults high in avoidance coping reported more negative life events at follow-up than did younger adults low on avoidance coping.
 
Reliance on avoidance coping may be especially problematic
among men and younger adults.


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Request Reprint E-Mail:   Erin.Woodhead@sjsu.edu
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Monday, April 29, 2013

Relative Importance of Abstinence in Clients’ and Clinicians’ Perspectives of Recovery from Drug and Alcohol Abuse

 


This study collected data on drug and alcohol workers’ (n = 55) and clients’ (n = 139) perspectives on what constitutes a “recovery” from substance use disorder.

Data were collected during 2010 from four residential faith-based treatment programs across the east coast of Australia. Self-report surveys specifically designed for this study were administered. Responses were compared using nonparametric test.
 
Abstinence was seen as an important component of recovery but nonabstinent factors were also seen as having an important role. Staff placed more emphasis on clients taking responsibility for their problems and on the role of spiritual development. The importance of nonabstinence components was positively associated with a person's time in treatment and recovery.

Implications, limitations, and future directions are noted.


 
 
 

Request Reprint E-Mail:  glyons@uow.edu.au


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Public Health England publishes 2013/14 priorities - much space for alcohol?


Public Health England (PHE), the new "national body set up to lead on the promotion of health and wellbeing, has published its 2013/14 priorities.

PHE now includes national remit for drug and alcohol policy having now integrated the former National Treatment Agency and alcohol policy team. However local Health and Wellbeing Boards (HWBs) and Directors of Public Health (DPH) are able to set the local prioritisation of public health budgets.

PHE's priorities for 2013/14 do not explicitly focus on alcohol misuse, but do state "the most significant factors that lead to poor health: smoking; high blood pressure; obesity; poor diet; lack of exercise; and excessive alcohol consumption.   > > > >  Read More
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The protective effect of alcohol on developing rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis




Our aim was to establish whether alcohol protects against RA development and to determine whether this effect is influenced by alcohol dose, duration and serological status through systematically reviewing the literature and undertaking a meta-analysis.

We searched Medline/EMBASE (1946 to July 2012) using the terms rheumatoid arthritis.mp or arthritis, rheumatoid/ and alcohol.mp or ethanol/. Manuscript bibliographies were reviewed. Observational studies were included that were case–control/cohort, examined the relationship between alcohol and RA risk and reported or allowed the calculation of effect size data [odds ratios (ORs)/relative risks (RRs) with 95% CIs] in drinkers vs non-drinkers. A random-effects model was used to estimate pooled ORs/RRs. Dose–risk relationships were evaluated by trend tests.
Nine studies (from 893 articles) meour inclusion criteria, comprising six case–control (3564 cases; 8477 controls) and three cohort studies (444 RA cases; 84 421 individuals). A significant protective effect of alcohol on RA risk was observed—summary OR for RA in drinkers vs non-drinkers 0.78 (95% CI 0.63, 0.96). This effect was confined to ACPA-positive RA—summary OR 0.52 (95% CI 0.36, 0.76), with no significant risk reduction seen for ACPA-negative RA—summary OR 0.74 (95% CI 0.53, 1.05). Subgroup analysis by study design identified a significant relationship in case–control but not cohort studies.
Alcohol intake is nversely associated with ACPA-positive RA, suggesting a protective effect. As this finding is confined to case–control studies further research is required with prospective cohort studies incorporating ACPA status to confirm this relationship.


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Request Reprint E-Mail:    ian.scott@kcl.ac.uk
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Int’l alcohol policy symposium discusses harms of alcohol



The harm that alcohol consumption causes to individuals, families and society as a whole and the possible policies that could be adopted by Turkey and other countries are being discussed at a global two-day symposium that started in İstanbul on Friday.

The inauguration ceremony of the event, titled the “Global Alcohol Policy Symposium,” was held at the Haliç Congress Center on Friday. The symposium was organized by the Green Crescent Society (Yeşilay) in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister, Parliament and the Ministry of Health and is co-sponsored by the World Health Association (WHO).

The symposium is expected to host 1,200 health experts representing 53 countries over Friday and Saturday.

Giving the opening speech of ceremony, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has never intervened in what people wear, do, eat or drink at all since it came to power. He stressed that the government, however, has the responsibility to protect its young citizens from the destructive effects of alcohol consumption as Article 58 of the Constitution says the state shall take the necessary measures to protect young people from addiction to alcohol and drugs, gambling and similar weaknesses.

The prime minister stated that they are examining the alcohol control programs of developed countries and also working with nongovernmental organizations to determine effective steps to decrease the alcohol abuse in those countries.  > > > >  Read More
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WHO network meeting of National Focal Points for Alcohol Policy and Global Alcohol Policy Symposium 25-27 April 2013, Istanbul, Turkey


The WHO Regional office for Europe is organizing the 15th Meeting of National Focal Points for Alcohol Policy in the WHO European Region on 25 April 2013 back to back to a Global Alcohol Policy Symposium taking place 26-27 April.

The meeting is organized by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe and the symposium is organized by the Green Crescent Society in collaboration with Prime Minister Office, Turkish Grand National Assembly, Ministry of Health and co-sponsored by WHO.

The main objective of the focal point meeting is to exchange information between Member States on alcohol policy developments. We will present preliminary results of the European Status report on alcohol and health 2013 that will be published in June 2013 and other areas for discussion will be brief intervention, alcohol and social determinants and labelling. The meeting is for invited participants only.

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Support for strong alcohol policies

 



Dr Margaret Chan
Director-General of the World Health Organization

Opening address at the Global Alcohol Policy Symposium
Istanbul, Turkey
26 April 2013

Excellencies, honourable ministers, distinguished delegates, colleagues in public health, ladies and gentlemen,
It is an honour, and a great pleasure, to participate in the opening ceremony for this Global Alcohol Policy Symposium. The large number of countries represented here today is a signal of the growing concern about the harmful use of alcohol, and growing determination to take action.
Health officials gave us a similar signal last year, when Thailand hosted a Global Alcohol Policy Conference. These events tell us that action at the policy level is needed.

They tell us that action is deeply desired by many governments, by many civil society organizations, and by the many millions of people around the world who have seen lives, families, careers, and communities devastated or destroyed by the harmful use of alcohol.   > > > >  Read More
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Alcohol News - 17/2013




 
 
 
 

.worldbulletin.net - Int’l alcohol policy symposium discusses harms of alcohol

The harm that alcohol consumption causes to individuals, families and society as a whole and the possible policies that could be adopted by Turkey and other countries are being discussed at a global two-day symposium that started in İstanbul on Friday.


Iceland Review (Iceland) - Icelanders Spend More on Alcohol, Less on Tobacco

Icelanders spend the lowest proportion of their income on tobacco in Europe but a slightly higher than average proportion on alcohol, according to the latest data from Eurostat.


Pharma Times - Lundbeck heads north for first launches of anti-alcohol drug

Lundbeck has launched its alcoholism treatment Selincro in its first markets - Norway, Finland, Poland and the Baltic countries.


Codewit (Finland) - Finland: Underage girls are heavier drinkers than their male counterparts.

Overall, teenage drinking has declined in Finland since the start of the century, but one out of ten young people reports drinking to the point of passing out. Underage girls are heavier drinkers than their male counterparts.


Scottish Daily Record (Scotland) - Hibs back calls for end to ban on alcohol sales at Scottish football grounds

HIBS last night added their support to calls for an end to Scottish football’s alcohol ban. Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell reopened the debate last week by revealing the champions are interested in a scheme to relax laws that prevent the sale of ale.


Irish Independent (Ireland) - Billy Keane: Alcohol reports won't tell you of a generation dying before our eyes

THE doctors from The Royal College of Physicians in Ireland are asking the Government to ban the sponsorship of sporting events by alcohol companies.


AllAfrica.com (Namibia) - Police Worried About Alcohol-Related Crime

SIX people were killed in different parts of the country over the weekend, while three fatal car accidents and one rape were reported to the police.


Gulf Times (Qatar) - ‘Up to 5% of population’ addicted to alcohol or drugs

Up to 5% of Qatar’s population, aged 18-60 years, is addicted to either alcohol or drugs, a Supreme Council of Health official said yesterday. “Between 3 to 5% of Qatar’s population is addicted to either alcohol or drugs, which is why we want to establish the Drug Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in order to tackle the problem head on,” Supreme Council of Health’s Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre medical director Dr Mounir Soussi told a press conference.


Trend.az (Iran) - Iran's Health Ministry warns about increased alcohol use among youth

Iran's Health Ministry has issued a warning about the increase of alcohol use amoug young people in the country, ISNA reported.


The Guardian (Scotland) - Should those with a vested interest comment on minimum alcohol pricing?

A new study suggests alcohol companies and supermarkets misrepresented scientific research when submitting findings to a consultation on minimum alcohol pricing.


Daily Mail - Being overweight and drinking alcohol TRIPLES the risk of deadly liver disease in women

Being overweight and drinking alcohol dramatically increases the risk of developing fatty liver disease, according to a study presented at the International Liver Congress.


DigitalJournal.com - Clues into how alcohol disrupts the brain

Researchers have identified how alcohol might affect key brain proteins. The finding could eventually lead to the development of drugs that could disrupt the interaction between alcohol and the brain.


Al-Monitor (Tunisia) - Alcohol Consumption High In Tunisia, Despite Prices

Alcohol consumption in Tunisia has never been a matter of a trend or a social phenomenon. Rather, there is a cultural tradition of consumption that dates back to the seventh century B.C. and is not relevant to social, religious or even moral values.


Care2.com - This Kills More People than AIDS or Tuberculosis

April raises awareness for both Alcohol and Domestic Violence. Unfortunately, there is a great need for more awareness of both. My patients in and around menopause commonly discuss issues related to alcohol and if I ask about it, they discuss domestic violence issues with me as well.


The Independent (UK) - Supermarkets 'distorted' scientific findings on alcohol

Leading supermarkets and drinks companies distorted evidence in an attempt to prevent the Scottish Government introducing a minimum price for alcohol, researchers say.


Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) - Doctors tired of alcohol damage

Surgeons across Australia are urging a change to the nation's drinking culture, saying they are tired of patching up people hurt as a result of drunken violence.


ABC Online (Australia) - Call for tougher restrictions on alcohol advertising in sport

New research analysing alcohol advertisements during the finals series of both the AFL (Australian Football League) and NRL (National Rugby League) reveals the large number of alcohol ads during both broadcasts.


Daily Free Press (USA) - Student alcohol abuse misjudged, study suggests

Despite older research stating otherwise, a new study suggests alcohol abuse and related deaths may be more prevalent on college campuses than previously thought, something that several Boston University students said could be reversed with increased awareness.


Telegraph.co.uk (UK) - Anna Soubry: Minimum alcohol pricing is still Government policy

Anna Soubry, the minister for public health, has said that minimum alcohol pricing is still necessary despite David Cameron scrapping the controversial measures.


Atlanta Business Chronicle (USA) - Survey: Up to 3 million alcohol-impaired teens could soon hit roads

The next few months bring graduations and summer celebrations – and likely more teen drinking and driving, according to a survey by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Students Against Destructive Decisions.


CBC.ca (Canada) - 'Responsibly' ads for alcohol moderation get mixed reviews

An Alberta advertising campaign encouraging drinking in moderation that wraps up this week received mixed reviews.

 
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FASD News - 16/2013

 
 
 
NEWS and ARTICLES

NOFAS – NOFAS responds to “light drinking” Research

Research published last week in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology affirms that, “…the safest option for pregnant women is to avoid drinking [alcohol] during pregnancies.” Although, if you read the headlines or the research sponsor’s news release you wouldn’t find that statement anywhere.


Canada.com (Canada) - Signs warn of risk in mixing booze, pregnancy

Nanaimo's liquor-service sector will soon be required to warn patrons about the dangers of mixing alcohol with pregnancy.


Canada FASD Research Network - Light Drinking During Pregnancy: CanFASD Responds to Confusing Information That Continues to Cloud the Issue

A recent article, in the BBC (April 16, 2013) online reported about a study in an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (BJOG). The headlines read: “Light drinking ‘not harmful to baby’ say scientists,” and “Light drinking during pregnancy does not harm child behavioural or mental development.”


UPI.com - Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder linked to pot's active ingredient

Endocannabinoids, compounds chemically similar to the active ingredient in marijuana, play a role in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, U.S. researchers say.


The Toronto Observer (Canada) - Ad campaign turning heads one belly at a time

While roaming around Toronto these days you might have seen some interesting poster ads. Ads displaying words such as ‘love’, ‘joy’, ‘mom’ and ‘hope’, have been turning heads because the letter ‘O’ is actually the bare belly of a pregnant woman.


Northern Advocate (New Zealand) - Safer Journeys - North mums-to-be putting babies at risk

Mums-to-be are putting their babies at risk by continuing to drink during pregnancy, and even driving under the influence of alcohol.


Medical Daily - Rich Women Most Likely to Binge Drink

Binge drinking is a risk factor in many health and social problems that affect women, including unintentional injuries, violence, liver disease, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, breast and other cancers, reduced cognitive function, and alcohol dependence.




VIDEOS and MATERIALS

YourAlberta - FASD Prevention: Women and Pregnancy

This session provides background information on FASD including data on alcohol use during pregnancy, how FASD can be prevented, and challenges that are faced in interventions.


YourAlberta - The Role of the Grandmother in FASD Care and Support

In this session, Florence and Donita explore the seven stages of a woman's life, to create awareness of what the woman requires at each stage and how best to support her.


YourAlberta - Engaging Students with FASD

Dr. Jacqueline Pei gives a brief overview of the challenges a child with FASD will face in the classroom environment and focus on strategies for their success.


YourAlberta - Forensic Assessments of Youth Affected by FASD

Dr. Ann Marie Dewhurst will discuss the differences between traditional psychological assessments and forensic assessments.


YourAlberta - Living with FASD - As a Person, As a Parent

This session is intended to share the experiences of a mother who both lives with a diagnosis of FASD and parents one child with and one without FASD.


YourAlberta - Winning the Battle With FASD: A Family Success Story

The Soetaert Family will provide an in depth conversation of how a family of five affected by FASD cope with the day to day challenges as well as successes.


YourAlberta - FASD and Practice: Issues for Prosecutors

This session will provide a brief overview of mental health provisions of the Criminal Code.


mofasorg - FASD Prevention

Do you know what FASD is? Can you describe one symptom of someone with an FASD? Did you know that there are myths and facts surrounding FASD? This training will help to answer those questions and will provide strategies and resource information for you or someone that you know. FASD is preventable.


YourAlberta - Financial Literacy for Individuals with FASD

This session will examine the financial literacy training needed by individuals with FASD.


Telethon Institute Newsletter - Alcohol, Pregnancy and FASD Newsletter

Welcome to the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research Alcohol, Pregnancy and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Research Group April 2013 Newsletter.


SAMSHA – FASD the Course




UPCOMING EVENTS

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

This is the first international conference to address the primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of FASD. Plenary sessions will promote discussion and reflection on promising and innovative approaches for preventing FASD, such as policies and programs to address alcohol use and the social determinants of health.


Australasian FASD Conference - 19- 20 November 2013

The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) and the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) invite you to the Australasian Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Conference in Brisbane on 19- 20 November 2013.


Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Best Practices in the Last Frontier - May 22-24, 2013




IN OTHER LANGUAGES

YLE (Finland) - Alkoholivaurioituneet lapset tarvitsevat enemmän tukea

Suomessa ei tarkkaan diagnosoida alkoholivaurioituneita lapsia. Lapsi jolla on FASD, eli alkoholin altistuksen aiheuttama monimuotoinen oireyhtymä, tarvitsee neuropsykologi Åse Fagerlundin mukaan enemmän yhteiskunnan tukea.


Berliner Zeitung (Germany) - Expertin: Kinder suchtkranker Eltern brauchen mehr Hilfe

Kinder suchtkranker Eltern brauchen nach Ansicht von Experten noch mehr gezielte Hilfe aus der gesamten Gesellschaft.




RESEARCH

BJOG - Light drinking versus abstinence in pregnancy – behavioural and cognitive outcomes in 7-year-old children: a longitudinal cohort study

The findings suggest that light drinking during pregnancy is not linked to developmental problems in mid-childhood. These findings support current UK Department of Health guidelines on drinking during pregnancy.


Alcoholism - Associations Between Multivitamin Supplement Use and Alcohol Consumption Before Pregnancy: Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, 2004 to 2008

Approximately 50 to 70% of childbearing-aged women consume alcohol and up to 23% of pregnancies have some level of prenatal alcohol exposure.


The Journal of Neuroscience - Anandamide–CB1 Receptor Signaling Contributes to Postnatal Ethanol-Induced Neonatal Neurodegeneration, Adult Synaptic, and Memory Deficits

The transient exposure of immature rodents to ethanol during postnatal day 7 (P7), which is comparable with the third trimester in human pregnancy, induces synaptic dysfunctions.


Health Education and Behavior - A Comparison of Maternal Outcomes From an Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Prevention Program for Mothers Choosing an Intervention Versus Being Randomized

Self-determination theory and substantial research findings suggest that more desirable outcomes may occur when participants are able to choose their prevention or treatment interventions, as having a choice may lead to greater motivation and feelings of self-efficacy.


Disease Models and Mechanisms - Long lasting alterations to DNA methylation and ncRNAs may underlie the effects of fetal alcohol exposure

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are characterized by life long changes in gene expression, neurodevelopment, and behavior. What mechanisms initiate and maintain these changes are not known, but current research suggests a role for alcohol induced epigenetic changes.

 
 
 
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