Long-Lasting Brain Changes: Irreversible Neuronal Disruptions From Binge Drinking in Adolescence

by Klaus Müller
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A recent study conducted at Penn State University has revealed that engaging in binge drinking during adolescence can result in permanent changes to neuronal signaling in the brain. By utilizing a mouse model that mimicked binge drinking behavior during the developmental years, researchers discovered that certain key neurons continued to exhibit overexcitability long after alcohol consumption had ceased. These findings suggest that there is a potential for enduring cognitive and behavioral alterations as a result of adolescent binge drinking.

The study conducted at Penn State University sheds light on the potential long-term consequences of binge drinking during adolescence, specifically highlighting the dysregulation of neurons in the brain, which could lead to persistent behavioral and cognitive changes.

According to the study, excessive alcohol consumption during adolescence can lead to permanent dysregulation of neurons, the fundamental units of the brain. The research, conducted using mice, indicates that exposure to binge levels of alcohol during the developmental stage of the brain can result in lasting disruptions to the brain’s ability to communicate and transmit signals. These alterations may pave the way for enduring changes in behavior and cognition caused by alcohol consumption.

Nikki Crowley, assistant professor in biology and biomedical engineering and Huck Early Chair in Neurobiology and Neural Engineering, explains, “Our findings suggest that if adolescent binge drinking deviates neurons from their intended developmental path, they may be unable to recover, even after discontinuing alcohol consumption.”

The prefrontal cortex, a vital region of the brain responsible for executive functions, risk assessment, and decision-making, is not fully developed during adolescence and continues to mature until approximately age 25. Disruptions to the development of this region during adolescence can have severe and lasting consequences, as emphasized by Crowley.

Crowley adds, “While heavy binge drinking is detrimental for individuals of all ages and should be avoided, the brains of adolescents appear to be particularly vulnerable to the long-term consequences, which can persist for decades.”

To understand how different populations of neurons in the cortex, the outer layer of the brain, are affected by voluntary binge drinking, the research team, led by Avery Sicher, a doctoral student in Penn State’s neuroscience program, employed a mouse model of adolescent ethanol exposure. In this model, mice were allowed access to alcohol over a 30-day period, roughly equivalent to ages 11-18 in humans due to their accelerated development and shorter lifespan. The team then examined the electrophysiological properties of various neurons in the prefrontal cortex to determine how adolescent binge drinking influenced their connectivity and firing patterns. By utilizing techniques such as optogenetics and whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology, the researchers were able to isolate individual neurons and measure parameters related to intrinsic excitability, including resting membrane potential and the ability to generate action potentials. These investigations helped them understand how the neurons’ signaling capabilities had changed.

The results indicated that somatostatin neurons, a crucial cell population responsible for inhibiting neurotransmitter release from other cell types in the brain and reducing excessive neural activity, demonstrated permanent dysregulation in the mice that engaged in binge drinking compared to those that consumed only water during their development. These neurons, which release inhibitory neurotransmitters like GABA as well as inhibitory peptides like somatostatin, exhibited heightened excitability, signaling excessively and dampening the activity of other important neurons for as long as 30 days after alcohol consumption ceased and the mice transitioned into adulthood.

Crowley explains, “Neurons follow a specific developmental trajectory. They need to reach their intended destinations and establish connections with the right partners during specific periods of development in order to function properly.”

David Starnes, an undergraduate biology student in Schreyer’s Honor College, conducted somatostatin cell counts to measure cell density before and after ethanol consumption. Although the electrophysiology data suggested alterations in the wiring of these neurons, binge drinking did not seem to affect the number of somatostatin neurons.

The paper, authored by Avery R. Sicher, William D. Starnes, Keith R. Griffith, Nigel C. Dao, Grace C. Smith, Dakota F. Brockway, and Nicole A. Crowley, is set to be published in the August 15 issue of the journal Neuropharmacology. The research received support from the National Institutes of Health and the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State.

Reference: “Adolescent binge drinking leads to long-lasting changes in cortical microcircuits in mice” by Avery R. Sicher, William D. Starnes, Keith R. Griffith, Nigel C. Dao, Grace C. Smith, Dakota F. Brockway, and Nicole A. Crowley, 1 May 2023, Neuropharmacology.
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109561

Additional authors on the paper include Keith Griffith, a research technician in the lab and former undergraduate student in Engineering Science and Mechanics, Grace Smith, a graduate student in Biomedical Engineering, Dakota Brockway, a graduate student in neuroscience, and Nigel Dao, a former research technician in the lab and current doctoral student at New York University. The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about brain changes, adolescent binge drinking, irreversible neuronal disruptions, lasting cognitive and behavioral changes, Penn State study

What does the Penn State study suggest about adolescent binge drinking and brain changes?

The Penn State study suggests that adolescent binge drinking can lead to irreversible changes in the brain’s neural signaling. It found that key neurons exhibited overexcitability even after alcohol consumption had stopped, potentially resulting in lasting cognitive and behavioral changes.

How can adolescent binge drinking affect neuronal activity in the brain?

Adolescent binge drinking can dysregulate neurons in the brain, causing lasting disruptions to their ability to communicate and transmit signals. This can impact the brain’s functioning, potentially leading to long-term behavioral and cognitive changes.

Which brain region is particularly vulnerable during adolescence and why?

The prefrontal cortex, responsible for executive functions, risk assessment, and decision-making, is particularly vulnerable during adolescence. It is still developing at this stage and disruptions to its development can have serious and long-lasting consequences on behavior and cognition.

What did the study reveal about somatostatin neurons?

The study found that somatostatin neurons, which provide inhibition of neurotransmitter release and help regulate neural activity, exhibited permanent dysregulation in mice that engaged in binge drinking during adolescence. These neurons became more excitable, signaling excessively and dampening the activity of other crucial neurons.

How was the study conducted?

The study utilized a mouse model simulating binge drinking during adolescence. The mice were given access to alcohol over a 30-day period, equivalent to ages 11-18 in human development. The researchers then examined the electrophysiological properties of neurons in the prefrontal cortex to understand how binge drinking influenced their connectivity and firing patterns.

What are the potential implications of these findings?

The findings have implications for understanding the long-term effects of adolescent binge drinking on brain function. They suggest that such behavior can result in lasting changes to neuronal activity, potentially leading to cognitive and behavioral alterations that persist into adulthood.

More about brain changes, adolescent binge drinking, irreversible neuronal disruptions, lasting cognitive and behavioral changes, Penn State study

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4 comments

CuriousMind77 June 9, 2023 - 4:10 pm

So, according to this Penn State research, binge drinking as a teen can screw up our brain cells for good? That’s some serious stuff! Gotta be careful with the booze, man.

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LinguisticWhiz June 9, 2023 - 4:10 pm

This study highlights the long-term consequences of adolescent binge drinking on neuronal activity. It’s concerning how it can mess up brain signaling and lead to lasting cognitive and behavioral changes. Important research, indeed!

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PartyAnimal99 June 9, 2023 - 4:10 pm

Whoa, did you read this? Binge drinking as a teen can totally mess up our brains, bro! It’s like, those neurons go all crazy and can’t calm down even if we stop boozing. Scary stuff!

Reply
ScienceGeek21 June 9, 2023 - 4:10 pm

The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the impacts of binge drinking on brain development during adolescence. It’s fascinating to see how neuronal disruptions can have long-lasting effects on behavior and cognition. Knowledge for the win!

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