Lower Levels Of Alcohol Consumption Research Articles

“Drunkorexia”: Understanding eating and physical activity behaviors of weight conscious drinkers in a sample of college students

ABSTRACTObjective: Behaviors of weight conscious drinkers (BWCD) include disordered eating, excessive physical activity (PA), and heavy episodic drinking. Considering that approximately 25% of the college students report BWCD, it is important to investigate what characteristics increase the likelihood of college students engaged in BWCD for both moderate and vigorous PAs. Participants: A total of 510 college students were recruited from a large, public southeastern university. Methods: Participants completed a cross-sectional survey during the spring 2015 semester. Results: Of 510 respondents, 11.2% reported moderate PA-based BWCD and 14.7% reported vigorous PA-based BWCD. Weight loss intention, BMI and Greek affiliation predicted both moderate and vigorous BWCD. Conclusions: Study findings suggest that Greek-affiliated students and students with weight loss intentions might be at an increased risk for BWCD. Along with promoting lower levels of alcohol consumption, college practitioners should consider discussing issues of weight and body image with college students as they relate to maladaptive drinking behavior.

Acute low-level alcohol consumption reduces phase locking of event-related oscillations in rodents

Event-related oscillations (EROs) are rhythmic changes that are evoked by a sensory and/or cognitive stimulus that can influence the dynamics of the EEG. EROs are defined by the decomposition of the EEG signal into magnitude (energy) and phase information and can be elicited in both humans and animals. EROs have been linked to several relevant genes associated with ethanol dependence phenotypes in humans and are altered in selectively bred alcohol-preferring rats. However, pharmacological studies are only beginning to emerge investigating the impact low intoxicating doses of ethanol can have on event-related neural oscillations. The main goal of this study was to investigate the effects of low levels of voluntary consumption of ethanol, in rats, on phase locking of EROs in order to give further insight into the acute intoxicating effects of ethanol on the brain. To this end, we allow rats to self-administer unsweetened 20% ethanol over 15 intermittent sessions. This method results in a stable low-dose consumption of ethanol. Using an auditory event-related potential “oddball” paradigm, we investigated the effects of alcohol on the phase variability of EROs from electrodes implanted into the frontal cortex, dorsal hippocampus, and amygdala. We found that intermittent ethanol self-administration was sufficient to produce a significant reduction in overall intraregional synchrony across all targeted regions. These data suggest that phase locking of EROs within brain regions known to be impacted by alcohol may represent a sensitive biomarker of low levels of alcohol intoxication.

Ethylglucuronide in the urine as a marker of alcohol consumption during pregnancy: Comparison with four alcohol screening questionnaires

Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) is an ethanol metabolite and EtG is used as a biomarker of alcohol drinking. EtG can be detected in the blood and in several biological matrices including urine, hair and nails. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is a strong risk factor for fetus health so in the recent years different strategies to reveal alcohol use have been planning including the use of screening questionnaires as the AUDIT-C, T-ACE and TWEAK. The present study aims to investigate in pregnant women the specificity and predictive value of the AUDIT-C, T-ACE and TWEAK plus a food diary in use in Sapienza University Hospital compared with the results of urine EtG measurement. Seventy pregnant women were enrolled and examined. Urine samples were provided by pregnant women immediately after the interviews. EtG determinations were performed by Enzyme Immunoassay with a cut-off established at 100ng/mL.Data show that 34.28% of the enrolled pregnant women overcame the EtG cut off. No direct correlation was found between EtG data and the alcohol screening interviews showing lower levels of alcohol consumption, although T-ACE revealed the same at risk percentage. However, a significant concordance was observed with food diary data and T-ACE only in patients with higher EtG urinary concentration. This study provides clinical evidence that the diagnosis of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy only based on indirect methods, such as questionnaires and food diary, may significantly underestimate alcohol use.

Neural impact of low-level alcohol use on response inhibition: An fMRI investigation in young adults

It is widely known that alcohol consumption adversely affects human health, particularly in the immature developing brains of adolescents and young adults, which may also have a long-lasting impact on executive functioning. The present study investigated the neural activity of 28 young adults from the Ottawa Prenatal Prospective Study (OPPS) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The purpose of this study was to discover the impact of regular low-level alcohol consumption on response inhibition as the participants performed a Go/No-Go task. Results indicated that, despite a lack of performance differences, young adults who use alcohol on a regular basis differ significantly from those who do not use alcohol regularly (if at all) with respect to their neural activity as the circuitry engaged in response inhibition is being challenged. Specifically, areas that showed significantly more activation in users compared to controls included the left hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus, right superior parietal lobule, and the cerebellum. These results suggest that even in low amounts, regular consumption of alcohol may have a significant impact on neurophysiological functioning during response inhibition in the developing brain of youth.

Alcohol use is associated with thinner cerebral cortex and larger ventricles in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and healthy controls.

Excessive alcohol use is associated with brain damage but less is known about brain effects from moderate alcohol use. Previous findings indicate that patients with severe mental illness, particularly schizophrenia, are vulnerable to alcohol-related brain damage. We investigated the association between levels of alcohol consumption and cortical and subcortical brain structures in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder patients and healthy controls, and investigated for group differences for this association. 1.5 T structural magnetic resonance images were acquired of 609 alcohol-using participants (165 schizophrenia patients, 172 bipolar disorder patients, 272 healthy controls), mean (s.d.) age 34.2 (9.9) years, 52% men. Past year alcohol use was assessed with the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test - Consumption part (AUDIT-C). General linear models were used to investigate associations between AUDIT-C score and cortical thickness, surface area, and total brain and subcortical volumes. Increasing AUDIT-C score was linearly associated with thinner cortex in medial and dorsolateral frontal and parieto-occipital regions, and with larger left lateral ventricle volume. There was no significant interaction between AUDIT-C score and diagnostic group. The findings remained significant after controlling for substance use disorders, antipsychotic medication and illness severity. The results show a dose-dependent relationship between alcohol use and thinner cortex and ventricular expansion. The findings are present also at lower levels of alcohol consumption and do not differ between schizophrenia or bipolar disorder patients compared to healthy controls. Our results do not support previous findings of increased vulnerability for alcohol-related brain damage in severe mental illness.

Effects of low alcohol consumption on pregnancy and childhood outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundEvidence about the effects of low levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy has been inconclusive, and national guidelines vary from advising abstention to consuming no more than 32 g per week, the equivalent of 1–2 UK units, once or twice a week (in the UK). We aimed to determine the effects of low-to-moderate levels of maternal alcohol consumption on pregnancy and longer-term offspring outcomes. MethodsWe systematically reviewed and pooled estimates of the effects of low levels of alcohol consumption (up to 32 g per week) during pregnancy on pregnancy outcomes and offspring health. We searched Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and PsycINFO (Jan 1, 1950, to Feb 2, 2015), for studies published in English using a combination of MeSH terms and text words to reflect outcomes (eg, pregnancy, fetal development), exposure (alcohol), and relevant study designs. Prospective observational studies, including negative control and quasi-experimental studies of pregnant women estimating effects of light versus no alcohol consumption, were included. Outcomes included pregnancy outcomes such as birth weight, and features of fetal alcohol syndrome such as cognitive impairment. Data extraction was carried out by one of four reviewers and then checked by the lead reviewer. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed where applicable (ie, where there were enough studies for the meta-analysis). This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD4201501594. Findings23 cohort and two quasi-experimental studies were included. With the exception of birth size and gestational age, there were insufficient data for the meta-analysis or to make robust conclusions about effects. The odds for small for gestational age and preterm birth were higher for babies whose mothers consumed up to 32 g per week than for babies whose mothers consumed none but results were imprecisely estimated (pooled odds ratio 1·07, 95% CI 0·99–1·16, I2=4% [six studies] and 1·13, 0·96–1·33, 63% [eight studies], respectively). InterpretationWe found little evidence to support recommendations related to light drinking. Since there was some evidence that even light alcohol consumption in pregnancy is associated with preterm delivery and having a small for gestational age baby, guidance should explain the paucity of evidence and could advise abstention as a precautionary principle. FundingMRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit and National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (NIHR CLAHRC) West.

Religious perceptions of alcohol consumption and drinking behaviours among religious and non-religious groups

ABSTRACTEvidence indicates that religious involvement is associated with lower levels of alcohol consumption. However, mechanisms underlying the specific effects of religion on alcohol behaviours are still not entirely clear. This study examined potential differences in religious perceptions of alcohol consumption (RePAC) among Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, and non-religious individuals, and between Catholic and Baptist Christian denominations. We also assessed whether these perceptions were associated with quantity and frequency of drinking. Participants (N = 495; 79% female) aged 18 and above completed self-report measures of alcohol consumption and religious perceptions of alcohol use. Findings indicated that non-religious individuals and Buddhists reported higher RePAC scores (i.e., more favourable attitudes toward alcohol use), followed by Christians and then Muslims. Drinking quantity was more strongly associated with RePAC for Buddhists and Christians than the same association for non-religious participants. These results provide preliminary evidence linking religious perceptions of alcohol to drinking behaviours across religious affiliations.

Does low alcohol use increase the risk of sickness absence? A discordant twin study.

BackgroundResults from observational studies suggest that people who drink little or no alcohol are less healthy than medium drinkers. This has been demonstrated for many different measures of health, including sick leave. However, whether these associations are causal or due to confounding remains to be clarified. The aim of this study was to use a discordant twin design to determine whether the increased level of sick leave associated with a low level of alcohol consumption, as compared to those with a medium level of consumption, reflects a causal mechanism or is due to genetic or environmental confounding.MethodsSix thousand seven hundred thirty-four young adult twins from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health’s twin panel were in 1998 assessed for frequency of alcohol use and binge drinking. Data were linked to the Norwegian National Insurance Administration’s recordings of sick leave over a 10 year period. The associations between alcohol consumption and sick leave were first estimated in the total study population, and then within di- and monozygotic twin pairs discordant for alcohol use.ResultsCompared to medium consumption, both low and high alcohol consumption was associated with increased risk of sick leave. When low level drinkers were compared to medium level drinkers in a discordant twin design, the results were consistent with the association being due to genetic confounding rather than a causal effect.ConclusionsThe increased level of sick leave observed with low level drinkers seems to be mainly explained by confounding from genetic factors. In all observational studies of the relationship between alcohol consumption and health, one should be aware that important genetic confounders are likely to influence the results.

Abstract 800: ALDH2 rs671 polymorphism and alcohol consumption in the risk of gastric cancer: A Mendelian randomization study

Abstract Background: The effect of increased alcohol consumption on the risk for gastric cancer (GC) has not been fully elucidated, due to the presence of confounders and gender differences. In this study, aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) rs671, the genetic polymorphism related to the elimination of acetaldehyde, was used as an instrumental variable (IV) for Mendelian randomization analysis to dissect the role of alcohol in GC risk. Methods: The study included Korean 450 GC cases and 1,050 controls recruited at the National Cancer Center. Data of 795 GC patients and 4,893 controls from the Korean Centers for Disease Control were used for further validation. The odds ratios (OR) for the ALDH2 genotype and its interaction with alcohol consumption were estimated using multivariate logistic regression. The two-stage control function method was performed using rs671 as the IV for alcohol consumption. Results: All AG carriers had an OR of 1.26 (95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.42) compared with GG carriers. In a quantitative analysis of alcohol intake, the conventional OR was 1.21(1.09-1.36) and the IV-OR was 0.90(0.63-1.28). Females had low alcohol consumption and did not show a significant risk for GC while males had a high risk for GC. Conclusions: Alcohol consumption is not associated with a risk for GC by itself, and ALDH2 polymorphism should be considered simultaneously when assessing the risk. Females did not display an evident risk for GC regarding alcohol, partly due to their lower level of alcohol consumption. However, further dissection of gender difference is necessary. Citation Format: Jeongseon Kim, Sarah Yang, Jeonghee Lee, Il Ju Choi, Young Woo Kim, Keun Won Ryu, Joohon Sung. ALDH2 rs671 polymorphism and alcohol consumption in the risk of gastric cancer: A Mendelian randomization study. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 800.

Persuading People to Drink Less Alcohol: The Role of Message Framing, Temporal Focus and Autonomy.

Health information can be used to try to persuade people to follow safe drinking recommendations. However, both the framing of information and the dispositional characteristics of message recipients need to be considered. An online study was conducted to examine how level of autonomy moderated the effect on drinking behaviour of gain- and loss-framed messages about the short- vs. long-term consequences of alcohol use. At Time 1, participants (N=335) provided demographic information and completed a measure of autonomy. At Time 2, participants reported baseline alcohol use and read a gain-framed or loss-framed health message that highlighted either short- or long-term outcomes of alcohol consumption. Alcohol consumption was reported 7 days later. The results showed a significant three-way interaction between message framing (loss vs. gain), temporal focus (short-term vs. long-term) and autonomy. For low-autonomy (but not high-autonomy) individuals, the loss-framed health message was associated with lower levels of alcohol consumption than was the gain-framed message but only if the short-term outcomes were conveyed. This research provides evidence that the interaction between message framing and temporal focus may depend on a person's level of autonomy, which has implications for health promotion and the construction of effective health communication messages. We examined how autonomy moderated the effect on drinking behaviour of gain- and loss-framed messages about the short- vs. long-term consequences ofalcohol use. For low-autonomy individuals, the loss-framed health message was associated with lower alcohol consumption than was the gain-framed message but only if the short-term outcomes were conveyed.

Sexting Behaviors and Cyber Pornography Addiction Among Adolescents: the Moderating Role of Alcohol Consumption

Sexting is defined as the exchange of provocative or sexually explicit content via smartphone, Internet, or social networks. Previous studies found a relationship between cyber pornography and sexting. The present study aimed to investigate the relationships between sexting, cyber pornography, and alcohol consumption. Previous evidence underlined the disinhibitory effect of alcohol on sexual responsiveness. Therefore, the possible moderating role of alcohol consumption was investigated in the relationship between cyber pornography addiction and sexting. The Sexting Behaviors Questionnaire, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, and the Cyber Pornography Use Inventory were administered to 610 adolescents (63 % females; mean age = 16.8). Boys reported significantly more sexting, alcohol consumption, and cyber pornography addiction than girls. As expected, sexting was robustly correlated with alcohol consumption and cyber pornography. In line with these expectations, we found that the relationship between cyber pornography and sexting was moderated by different level of alcohol consumption. In those who reported low levels of alcohol consumption, the relationship between cyber pornography and sexting was not significant. On the contrary, in those who reported high alcohol consumption, this relationship was stronger and significant. Thus, the results suggest that alcohol restraint could represent a protective factor against engaging in sexting, even in the presence of high cyber pornography addiction.

Improved Survival Among all Interferon-α-Treated Patients in HCV-002, a Veterans Affairs Hepatitis C Cohort of 2211 Patients, Despite Increased Cirrhosis Among Nonresponders.

As the era of interferon-alpha (IFN)-based therapy for hepatitis C ends, long-term treatment outcomes are now being evaluated. To more fully understand the natural history of hepatitis C infection by following a multisite cohort of patients. Patients with chronic HCV were prospectively enrolled in 1999-2000 from 11 VA medical centers and followed through retrospective medical record review. A total of 2211 patients were followed for an average of 8.5years after enrollment. Thirty-one percent of patients received HCV antiviral therapy, 15% with standard IFN/ribavirin only, 16% with pegylated IFN/ribavirin, and 26.7% of treated patients achieved sustained virologic response (SVR). Cirrhosis developed in 25.8% of patients. Treatment nonresponders had a greater than twofold increase in the hazard of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, compared to untreated patients, whereas SVR patients were only marginally protected from cirrhosis. Nearly 6% developed hepatocellular carcinoma, and 27.1% died during the follow-up period. Treated patients, regardless of response, had a significant survival benefit compared to untreated patients (HR 0.58, CI 0.46-0.72). Improved survival was also associated with college education, younger age, lower levels of alcohol consumption, and longer duration of medical service follow-up-factors typically associated with treatment eligibility. As more hepatitis C patients are now being assessed for all-oral combination therapy, these results highlight that patient compliance and limiting harmful behaviors contribute a significant proportion of the survival benefit in treated patients and that the long-term clinical benefits of SVR may be less profound than previously reported.

PERAN ORANG TUA TERHADAP KONSUMSI ALKOHOL PADA REMAJA PUTRA DI DESA SIDOREJO KECAMATAN SUGIO KABUPATEN LAMONGAN TAHUN 2015

The aim of research to determine the relationship of the role of parents on alcohol consumption in young men in the village Sidorejo Sugio subdistrict in Lamongan district in 2015. The study design used cross sectional analytic approach. The entire population of young men who consume alcoholic beverages in the village Sidorejo Sugio subdistrict in Lamongan district in June 2015 with Simple Random Sampling technique. Data taken with kuessioner and analyzed using Spearman Rank test with α = 0.05. The result showed almost half or 34.8% less than the role of parents, and more than 63% partially or low levels of alcohol consumption. There is a relationship between the roles of parents with alcohol consumption in young men in the village Sidorejo Sugio Lamongan District of the Year 2015. Rated rs = 0.749 and p = 0.000.Keywords: role of parents, adolescents, alcohol consumption

Ethyl glucuronide in hair of non-excessive alcohol consumers: correlations and gender influence

Hair ethyl glucuronide (hEtG) is a marker used for previous alcohol consumption. Correlations have been reported between the amount of alcohol consumed and hEtG concentration, but little has been published regarding relatively low levels of alcohol consumption and associated hEtG concentrations close to the limit of quantification (LOQ). Here, we investigate hEtG concentrations in non-excessive (<60 g/day) alcohol consumers and address the role of gender differences in hEtG concentration within this population. Daily alcohol consumption over a period of 3 months prior to hair collection was assessed using the Timeline Followback interview in 130 non-excessive (<60 g/day) alcohol consumers. Participants showed large variation in consumption, ranging from 10 g (~1 unit) to 3300 g (~330 units), during the prior 3 months. Eight individuals abstained from alcohol and served as a control group. HEtG was measured using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in hair segments 0–3 cm in length, and varied from <LOQ to 29.8 pg/mg, showing a linear correlation with the amount of alcohol consumed (r = 0.81; p < 0.001). Gender had no influence on this correlation (gender effect: p < 0.001) or on the detection of nominal hEtG concentrations (p < 0.001). In conclusion, our results showed a correlation between hEtG and the amount of alcohol consumed, with no difference shown based on gender, for non-excessive alcohol consumption, confirming earlier results for excessive alcohol drinkers. We thus propose lowering the current hEtG cut-off value for abstinence assessment to <5 pg/mg.

Alcohol, Everyday Activities, and Recognizing the Risk of a Few Drinks

How many drinks are too many drinks? This study explored this question from multiple perspectives. An earlier study of university students was expanded to a national adult sample of 191 adults. Participants were asked how many drinks they could consume before they would no longer feel safe engaging in everyday activities, including driving, biking, and walking. Compared to university students, a national adult sample generally considered activities to be unsafe at lower levels of alcohol consumption. This sample also tended to underestimate the number of drinks required to reach a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08%. Some participants indicated an unwillingness to engage in activities if alcohol posed any increased risk, while others appeared to tolerate some added risk posed by alcohol consumption. Implications for risk perception and decision-making are discussed.

Relationships between bone geometry, volumetric bone mineral density and bone microarchitecture of the distal radius and tibia with alcohol consumption

PurposeChronic heavy alcohol consumption is associated with bone density loss and increased fracture risk, while low levels of alcohol consumption have been reported as beneficial in some studies. However, studies relating alcohol consumption to bone geometry, volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and bone microarchitecture, as assessed by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT), are lacking. MethodsHere we report an analysis from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study, in which we studied associations between HR-pQCT measures at the distal radius and tibia and alcohol consumption in 376 participants (198 men and 178 women) aged 72.1–81.4years. ResultsA total of 30 (15.2%), 90 (45.5%) and 78 (39.4%) men drank minimal/none (<1 unit/week), low (≥1 unit/week and <11 units/week) and moderate/high (≥11 units/week) amounts of alcohol respectively. These figures were 74 (41.8%), 80 (45.2%) and 23 (13.0%) respectively in women for minimal/none (<1 unit/week), low (≥1 unit/week and <8 units/week) and moderate/high (≥8 units/week). At the distal radius, after adjustment for confounding factors (age, BMI, smoking status, dietary calcium intake, physical activity and socioeconomic status and years since menopause and HRT use for women), men that drank low alcohol had lower cortical thickness (p=0.038), cortical vBMD (p=0.033), and trabecular vBMD (p=0.028) and higher trabecular separation (p=0.043) than those that drank none/minimal alcohol. Similar differences were shown between minimal/none and moderate/high alcohol although these only reached statistical significance for the cortical parameters. Interestingly, after similar adjustment, women showed similar differences in the trabecular compartment between none/minimal alcohol and low alcohol at the distal tibia. However, women that drank moderate/high alcohol had significantly higher trabecular vBMD (p=0.007), trabecular thickness (p=0.026), and trabecular number (p=0.042) and higher trabecular separation (p=0.026) at the distal radius than those that drank low alcohol. ConclusionsOur results suggest that alcohol consumption (low and moderate/high) may have a detrimental impact on bone health in men in both the cortical and trabecular compartments at the distal radius with similar results in women in the trabecular compartment between none/minimal alcohol and low alcohol at the distal tibia suggesting that avoidance of alcohol may be beneficial for bone health.

Relations between blood supply of brain of students and condition of autonomic nervous system and risk factors

The purpose of our research was to estimate the brain blood supply level by rheoencephalography method in junior students of the Medical academy and to determine the blood supply links with the autonomic regulation state, behavioural and alimentary factors. Rheo-encephalographic study, research of the autonomic nervous system state, heart rate regulation and questioning of 17–29 year-old students have been conducted. Basic hemodynamic indices were normal in all surveyed students. Increase in body weight index enhanced the probability of the brain blood supply deterioration. Adaptation mechanisms tension was accompanied by reduction of the rheographic index. Higher blood filling of the brain vessels corersponded to higher ratio “blood minute volume / due blood minute volume” defined taking into account the system arterial pressure. The quantity of links with indicators of the autonomic nervous system state was limited. Nonlinear dependence of the rheographic index on the Kerdo vegetative index was observed: the rheographic index value was the lowest in students with the autonomic balance by the Kerdo vegetative index; it was the highest in the group with the sympathetic prevalence. Risk factor of blood filling decrease was the reduction in the diet variety when foodstuffs of different groups were included into the diet less than twice a week, or they were excluded from the diet completely. Positive correlation of blood supply was observed more often with frequent consumption of fish, vegetables, and fresh fruits. Increase in the regular alcohol intake experience promoted decrease in brain blood supply and increase in asymmetries of blood supply indicators. The effect of alcohol was essential, despite young age of surveyed students and low level of alcohol consumption. Increase in the experience and intensity of smoking was accompanied by deterioration of brain blood supply indicators. Students with the best blood supply had the better academic progress. Observed multiple correlations of blood supply indicators with behavioural factors allowed to assert that reduction of risk factors (control of body weight, variety and full value of a diet, refusal of smoking, alcohol restriction even below doses which are considered safe) would allow to improve the brain blood supply.

Health behaviors among people with epilepsy—Results from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey

ObjectivesThis study aimed to estimate and compare the prevalence of selected health behavior—alcohol use, cigarette smoking, physical activity, and sufficient sleep—between people with and without a history of epilepsy in a large, nationally representative sample in the United States. MethodsWe used data from the 2010 cross-sectional National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to compare the prevalence of each health behavior for people with and without epilepsy while adjusting for sex, age, race/ethnicity, and family income. We also further categorized those with epilepsy into active epilepsy and inactive epilepsy and calculated their corresponding prevalences. ResultsThe percentages of adults with a history of epilepsy (50.1%, 95% CI=45.1%–55.2%) and with active epilepsy (44.4%, 95% CI=37.6%–51.5%) who were current alcohol drinkers were significantly lower than that of those without epilepsy (65.1%, 95% CI=64.2%–66.0%). About 21.8% (95% CI=18.1%–25.9%) of adults with epilepsy and 19.3% (95% CI=18.7%–19.9%) of adults without epilepsy were current smokers. Adults with active epilepsy were significantly less likely than adults without epilepsy to report following recommended physical activity guidelines for Americans (35.2%, 95% CI=28.8%–42.1% vs. 46.3%, 95% CI=45.4%–47.2%) and to report walking for at least ten minutes during the seven days prior to being surveyed (39.6%, 95% CI=32.3%–47.4% vs. 50.8%, 95% CI=49.9%–51.7%). The percentage of individuals with active epilepsy (49.8%, 95% CI=42.0%–57.7%) who reported sleeping an average of 7 or 8h a day was significantly lower than that of those without epilepsy (61.9%, 95% CI=61.2%–62.7%). ConclusionsBecause adults with epilepsy are significantly less likely than adults without epilepsy to engage in recommended levels of physical activity and to get the encouraged amount of sleep for optimal health and well-being, promoting more safe physical activity and improved sleep quality is necessary among adults with epilepsy. Ending tobacco use and maintaining low levels of alcohol consumption would also better the health of adults with epilepsy.

A Role for Mast Cells in Alcohol-Induced Tissue Damage and Remodeling

Introduction: Alcohol continues to be one of the most frequently abused drugs in the world. While low levels of alcohol consumption may have health benefits, chronic abuse of alcohol deleteriously impacts most body systems and contributes to or exacerbates over sixty disease conditions. The mechanisms of organ and tissue damage in response to alcohol abuse include altered metabolic pathways, accumulation of reactive oxygen species and depressed immune function. Mast cells are multi-functional cells that have been classically described for their role in hypersensitivity reactions. More recently, roles for these cells have been elucidated in innate immunity and tissue remodeling. Mast cells perform these functions primarily through the secretion of a plethora of mediators that include histamine, heparin, serine proteases, cytokines and others. The specific factors that are produced and secreted at any time by mast cells depend in part on the tissue microenvironment providing the basis for extensive plasticity of these cells. Recent studies are beginning to define the role of mast cells in mediating the deleterious effects of chronic alcohol abuse. For instance, alcohol-induced damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa is at least in part mediated by activation of mast cells. Pharmacological inhibition of mast cell degranulation attenuates the increased permeability of the gastrointestinal epithelium associated with alcohol abuse. Conclusion: Mast cells and their secretory products have been implicated in promoting a number of disease conditions. Recent studies have suggested an important role for these cells in alcohol-induced tissue remodeling. These cells and their specific secretory mediators may provide novel therapeutic targets in prevention or reversal of alcohol-induced tissue damage.

BDNF Val66Met and reward-related brain function in adolescents: Role for early alcohol consumption

Changes in reward processing have been identified as one important pathogenetic mechanism in alcohol addiction. The nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphism in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene (rs6265/Val66Met) modulates the central nervous system activity of neurotransmitters involved in reward processing such as serotonin, dopamine, and glutamate. It was identified as crucial for alcohol consumption in healthy adults and, in rats, specifically related to the function in the striatum, a region that is commonly involved in reward processing. However, studies in humans on the association of BDNF Val66Met and reward-related brain functions and its role for alcohol consumption, a significant predictor of later alcohol addiction, are missing. Based on an intermediate phenotype approach, we assessed the early orientation toward alcohol and alcohol consumption in 530 healthy adolescents that underwent a monetary incentive delay task during functional magnetic resonance imaging. We found a significantly lower response in the putamen to reward anticipation in adolescent Met carriers with high versus low levels of alcohol consumption. During reward feedback, Met carriers with low putamen reactivity were significantly more likely to orient toward alcohol and to drink alcohol 2 years later. This study indicates a possible effect of BDNF Val66Met on alcohol addiction-related phenotypes in adolescence.