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Alcohol Addiction: Can Heavy Drinking Affect Aging Brain?

Alcohol Addiction has harmful effects on the brain functions and structure. A new study claims that it also has vast effects on aging brains in terms of memory, attention, and learning.

A research conducted by Adam Woods from the University of Florida's department of aging and geriatric research has found that older people with alcohol addiction scored lower on cognitive functions. Those who abused alcohol in their lifetime exhibited bad scores on learning, memory and motor function.

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The study involved 31 men and 35 women who were classified into three groups based on their alcohol intake level. They were divided into heavy drinkers, moderate drinkers and non-drinkers. Evidences showed that people who drink most of their lifetime had also poor executive or attention function, including the reasoning and working memory irrespective of their age.

Dr. Marc Gordon, chief of neurology at Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks, N.Y. claimed that the result is not anymore surprising because alcohol addiction is known for delivering bad effects on the brain whether young or old. Dr. Gisele Wolf-Klein directs geriatric education at Northwell Health in Great Neck, N.Y. agreed with the findings, adding that alcohol is dangerous for older adults who are taking medications.

Wolf-Klein explained that older adults should be informed of the dangerous effects of alcohol, especially if they are taking medications. Alcohol can interfere with the action of the medications. Older adults should avoid alcohol because of its damaging effects not only on the brain, but body as well.

Brain & Heavy Alcohol Use

There are also results showing that binge drinking alters the structure and physiology of the brain. Neuroimaging research revealed that alcohol addiction damages the cerebellum. It is the part of the brain that directly controls the language, motor skills and attention.

Evidences showed that alcohol use for a long period of time can also impact the prefrontal cortex to shrink and degrade. This area of the brain is the one in-charge of the decision-making skills and social behavior.

Can Brain Effects Be Reversed?

The question in many studies is whether alcohol effects on the brain can be reversed after a long period of abstinence. One study claims that a period of abstinence can permit the brain to fix itself and return to original volume.

The frontocerebellar circuitry that affects the reasoning, decision making and problem solving can be improved after a period of abstinence. However, not all parts of the brain’s structure and functions affected by alcohol can be restored.

Some injuries to the hippocampus area that is responsible for long-term memory and spatial navigation remains injured. Further studies should be done to know the extent of brain recovery of people who struggled with alcohol addiction.

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