Adolescent Memory Can Be Damaged by Binge Drinking

Crucial cognitive functions, such as spatial working memory (SWM) are in crucial development during adolescence. New information has emerged showing that prevalent binge drinking during adolescence may damage memory. A new study shows that females may be particularly susceptible to the negative effects of binge drinking. This heavy drinking can negatively affect the teen’s normal brain cell growth, which can interfere in school and sports, and can leave long-lasting effects. Working memory is critical to logical thinking, whereas spatial working memory, the type studied, deals with analyzing the space around you and your ability to remember it and work with the information obtained. The study chose to study gender-specific spatial working memory because other studies have concluded that SWM is impaired in adults and adolescents who have problems with heavy drinking. The researchers wanted to see the effects in male and female adolescents. Problems can arise in areas such as reading a map, remembering plays for sports, or driving.

The study involved ninety-five teens age sixteen to nineteen, forty binge drinkers, and fifty-five controls who participated in neuropsychological testing, substance use interviews, and a SWM task that was performed during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The study concluded that female binge drinkers had less brain activation in certain regions than the control females. The male binge drinkers showed some abnormalities but less than the females. Therefore, the female binge drinkers were the most affected. Gender specific studies are important because males and females develop differently, and, as the study concluded, certain substances affect each gender differently. It is important to note that drinking any amount of alcohol for teens is dangerous, even if it is only a few drinks at a party every so often.

Information found: http://www.attcnetwork.org/explore/priorityareas/science/tools/asmeDetails.asp?ID=722

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