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Alcohol abuse affects neurons in the frontal cortex that typically have a large soma, or cell body. This type of neuron is more susceptible to Alzheimer's disease and normal aging. Research is still being conducted to determine whether there is a direct link between excessive alcohol consumption and Alzheimer's disease. [8]
The long-term impact of alcohol on the brain has become a growing area of research focus. While researchers have found that moderate alcohol consumption in older adults is associated with better cognition and well-being than abstinence, [ 1 ] excessive alcohol consumption is associated with widespread and significant brain lesions .
The modern disease theory of alcoholism states that problem drinking is sometimes caused by a disease of the brain, characterized by altered brain structure and function. Today, alcohol use disorder (AUD) is used as a more scientific and suitable approach to alcohol dependence and alcohol -related problems.
Research on how environmental exposures, genetic susceptibility, and age interact to affect an individual's health. 1969 $675.8 niehs.nih.gov: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: NIAAA NIAAA research is focused on improving the treatment and prevention of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. 1970 $456.0 niaaa.nih.gov
Most research has shown that the major part of the brain that reinforces addiction through neurochemical reward is the nucleus accumbens. The image to the right shows how dopamine is projected into this area. Long-term excessive alcohol use can cause dependence and addiction. How this addiction occurs is described below. [citation needed]
The underlying mechanism involves a decreased responsiveness of GABA receptors in the brain. [3] The withdrawal process is typically followed using the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol scale (CIWA-Ar). [3] The typical treatment of alcohol withdrawal is with benzodiazepines such as chlordiazepoxide or diazepam. [2]
The NIAAA functions both as a funding agency that supports research by external research institutions and as a research institution itself, where alcohol research is carried out in‐house. [1] It funds approximately 90% of all such research in the United States. [2] The NIAAA publishes the academic journal Alcohol Research: Current Reviews.
The level of ethanol consumption that minimizes the risk of disease, injury, and death is subject to some controversy. [16] Several studies have found a J-shaped relationship between alcohol consumption and health, [17] [18] [2] [19] meaning that risk is minimized at a certain (non-zero) consumption level, and drinking below or above this level increases risk, with the risk level of drinking a ...