Monday, April 28, 2014

Teen Alcohol Use Linked To Long-Term Effects On Decision Making

Headlines and Global News, April 28, 2014 

"Teen drinking alters brain chemistry leading to impairment in decision making in adulthood, a new study finds.

The study was conducted by University of Washington researchers on a group of 30-50 days old rats, an age equivalent to that of a human teenager. The rats were given access to alcohol-laced "Jell-O shots" for 24 hours a day till they reached adulthood.

The rats were then given a test where they could choose between taking smaller risks to gain smaller treats or bigger risks for greater treats. Researchers found that the rats exposed to alcohol as teenagers were more inclined to opt for tasks with higher risks, even when they had the option of choosing lower risk tasks that would give them more treats overall. This behavior suggests that alcohol consumption during adolescence affects long-term decision making abilities." Read more

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