Described as Periods of “Dynamic Brain Change,” Alcohol May Have a Greater Impact During Particular Ages
According to an editorial published in the BMJ entitled “Lifetime perspective on alcohol and brain health” (BMJ 2020;371:m4691), the brain may be more sensitive to the negative effects of alcohol during certain ages. The article notes that during periods of “dynamic brain changes,” the brain may be “particularly sensitive to the neurotoxic effects of alcohol.”
Periods of dynamic brain changes include:
- Gestation (from conception to birth)
- Later adolescence (15-19 years); and
- Older adulthood (over 65 years)
Dangers of Low-Level Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
Consuming alcohol during pregnancy, even in low amounts, can have a direct impact on the health of the fetus. It has long been established that when heavy amounts of alcohol are consumed during pregnancy, a baby may be born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Recent studies, however, indicate that even “low or moderate alcohol consumption during pregnancy” may still deeply impact an unborn child.
Alcohol Consumption During Adolescence
As reported in the editorial, a significant amount of adolescents admit to binge drinking. Binge drinking can harm a developing brain and may affect a “wide range of cognitive functions.” Several studies have shown that binge drinking during adolescence can impact a child’s ability to perform at school and may result in behavioral problems.
The Link Between Dementia and Alcohol Use Disorder
Research indicates that there may be a strong link between alcohol use disorder and early-onset dementia. Additionally, recent studies show that “moderate drinking” in older adults may result in “small but significant loss of brain volume in midlife.”
To read the full article:
BMJ 2020; 371 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m4691 (Published 04 December 2020)