Recruitment of medial prefrontal cortex neurons during alcohol withdrawal predicts cognitive impairment and excessive alcohol drinking.
Olivier George, Chelsea Sanders, John Freiling, Edward Grigoryan, Shayla Vu, Camryn D. Allen, Elena Crawford, Chitra D. Mandyam, and George F. Koob
"The researchers linked the rats’ impairment to a small group of brain cells, or neurons, in the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which normally act as a brake on emotional and impulsive behaviour."
"The pattern of knocking back a few drinks every few days, followed by days of no drinking, can cause more brain damage in rats than drinking moderately every day, says Olivier George neuroscientist from The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla."
"The finding, if confirmed in studies of humans, could lead to better treatments, preventive approaches and diagnostic tests for problem drinking and possibly other addiction-like behaviours."