Binge Drinking may have a powerful effect on teen brains.

Binge drinking, as defined by the Center for Disease Control, is for men having 5 drinks and women 4 drinks in an hour.  One in four U S adults who binge drink consume at least eight drinks during a binge occasion and most people under 21 who report binge drinking often consume eight or more drinks in a row.

A new study from the university of Buffalo by Panayotis K. Thanos, Ph.D., senior author and senior research scientist in the department of pharmacology and toxicology in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences studied the equivalent of binge drinking in adolescent rats. The study focused on how the brain processes glucose (sugar).

“To do this, we examined glucose utilization,” he explained. “By mapping the utilization of glucose throughout the brain, we can get an idea of how binge drinking changes brain functioning and where in the brain these changes take place. We can then use these data to learn more about future alcohol-induced neurological or psychiatric dysfunction in adulthood.”

While the brain makes up only 2% of an individual's body weight it consumes 20% of the glucose. The metabolism of glucose is very important in carrying out normal psychological processes.  The study used positron emission tomography (PET) scans on rats that were provided an alcohol/water drinking solution. Rats were given concentrations that mirrored low dose, moderate dose and heavy doses of alcohol.

“Our (PET) brain-imaging data showed that adolescent binge drinking has vast functional implications in the brain,” Thanos said. “Alcohol binge consumption decreased brain function in areas responsible for sensory, motor, memory and cognitive processes. This lines up with the known behavioral consequences of alcohol consumption: impaired vision, diminished motor skills and coordination, confusion and others.”

Thanos continued to say, “although the low dose of alcohol consumed does not meet the criteria for binge drinking in humans is still promoted a very similar profile in the brain compared to the alcohol dose that does meet binge drinking criteria.”

While many of the families that contact us do so because of marijuana issues, this new research shows increased risk in adolescent binge drinking as well.  Our mobile app was created to help interrupt the cycle and provide education and self- direction so kids can choose a healthier lifestyle.