HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Binge drinking during adolescence may cause lasting changes to the brain, according to new research from the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.
Researchers found that repeated alcohol exposure during adolescence disrupted communication between astrocytes, supportive brain cells that play an important role in brain signaling and synapses in the hippocampus, a part of the brain essential for learning and memory.
The changes persisted into adulthood, even after a prolonged period without alcohol.
“Moreover, early onset binge drinking has been shown to directly increase the likelihood of developing alcohol use disorder. Understanding why binge drinking specifically during adolescence worsens mental health outcomes and reduces overall quality of life is the goal of this research,” said Mary-Louise Risher, PhD, associate professor at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, in a press release.
Researchers also found that improving the function of astrocytes could partially reverse the effects of alcohol exposure. The findings suggest these brain cells may play a bigger role in the long-term effects of adolescent alcohol use than previously understood.
More research is needed, but the researchers say the findings could eventually help identify new ways to address some of the lasting behavioral effects linked to adolescent alcohol exposure and substance use.
“From these studies, we aim to increase public awareness and develop new therapeutic approaches to alleviate the long-term consequences of adolescent binge drinking,” Risher said.
“This work is an important step towards developing new astrocyte-targeted strategies to improve brain health,” said Olivia Coulter, first author of the paper and a doctoral candidate at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.
