alcoholism

Impulse control area in brain affected in teens with genetic vulnerability for alcoholism

harminka — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 05:56:50 -0600

A new study suggests that genetic factors influence size variations in a certain region of the brain, which could in turn be partly responsible for increased susceptibility to alcohol dependence.

Gene mutation in worms key to alcohol tolerance

harminka — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:19:00 -0500

The work follows a study carried out by Oregon Health and Science University, which suggested a link between a gene mutation in mice and tolerance to alcohol. Researchers at Liverpool have investigated this in worms, looking specifically at the role the gene plays in communication between cells in the nervous system.

Alcoholism-associated molecular adaptations

harminka — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:53:29 -0500

After many years of heavy drinking, alcohol produces pathological alterations in the brain. In many alcoholics these changes culminate in massive social deterioration and disorders of memory and learning. Severe cognitive impairments occur in approximately 10% of heavy drinkers.

Epilepsy drug may help alcoholics recover from dependence

harminka — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:25:24 -0500

It's a Catch-22 of the highest order. People with alcohol problems often use alcohol to get to sleep -- but it actually keeps them from getting good-quality sleep all night long.

Drug has potential to prevent alcoholics from relapsing

harminka — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:36:51 -0500

An experimental drug that blocks the euphoric feelings associated with drinking may prevent alcoholics from relapsing. The finding, the result of a mouse study at Oregon Health & Science University, could lead to human clinical trials within the next year.

MicroRNA implicated as molecular factor in alcohol tolerance

harminka — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:07:57 -0500

In recent years, a class of small molecules known as microRNA have been found to play an important role in regulating gene products in most animal and plant species. A new study now indicates that microRNA may influence the development of alcohol tolerance, a hallmark of alcohol abuse and dependence.

Coffee and cigarette consumption are high among AA attendees

harminka — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:01:58 -0500

More than one million Americans currently participate in the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) program. While AA participants are reportedly notorious for their coffee drinking and cigarette smoking, very little research has quantified their consumption of these two products.

Does gene variant make women more prone to alcoholism?

harminka — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:37:55 -0500

A particular gene variant might make women more susceptible to alcoholism. At least, a study carried out by the Universities of Bonn and Sweden's Karolinska Institute makes this a plausible conclusion.

Drink and drugs fuel Scottish suicide and homicide rates

harminka — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:46:33 -0500

Alcohol and drug misuse mean Scots are almost twice as likely to kill or take their own life compared to people living in England and Wales, research published today (Monday, June 16) reveals.

Risk threshold of daily alcohol intake, drinking duration in liver injury?

harminka — Wed, 21 May 2008 10:53:45 -0500

Alcoholic threshold effect rather than a dose-response effect on mortality from alcohol-related liver injury. Alcohol intake, rather than the type of alcoholic beverage, was more significant to liver injury.

New indicator for esophageal varix in alcoholic disease

harminka — Wed, 21 May 2008 10:20:56 -0500

Variceal hemorrhaging is associated with a high mortality rate. The early detection of esophageal varices is critical for the effective prevention of variceal hemorrhage.

New pharmacological effect of Jianpi Huoxue Decoction

harminka — Tue, 20 May 2008 13:21:05 -0500

Professor Yi-Yang Hu and his colleagues confirmed that Jianpi Huoxue decoction (JHD) reduced the cytokine expression induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and inhibited some targets in LPS-activated Kupffer cell signal pathway. This may provide new insight on the mechanism of JHD on alcoholic liver injury.