Katharina Buczek
Genetic factors may also affect our bodies’ ability to metabolize alcohol, influencing our susceptibility to backing out after a night of drinking. Of course, young people are especially prone to these blackouts, too, due to binge drinking culture.
Now, this latest study conducted by Lorkiewicz and her colleagues suggests that this pattern of drinking may have long-term effects on the brain and cognitive function.
The researchers evaluated a group of people aged 12 to 24 over six years and discovered that experiencing alcohol-related blackouts during these formative years was linked to significant brain structure changes, especially in areas related to memory and facial recognition.
The team found that alcohol-related blackouts were associated with reduced structural maturation of brain regions involved in visual learning and memory, with potential cognitive changes occurring at later developmental stages.
According to Lorkiewicz, this could manifest as lower-than-expected performance in school or work and difficulty forming social relationships.
“We know that the developing brain is particularly susceptible to adverse consequences of alcohol use. Adolescents and emerging adults are therefore at risk for future neurocognitive changes related to heavy, intermittent alcohol use and subsequent alcohol-related blackouts,” Lorkiewicz concluded.
The study’s findings were discussed on June 24 in Minneapolis at the annual meeting of the Research Society on Alcohol.
