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joi, 15 decembrie 2011
Human Alcohol Consumption Patterns Mimicked By New Strain Of Lab Mice
Also Included In: Genetics
Article Date: 15 Dec 2011 - 0:00 PST
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A line of laboratory mice developed by a researcher from the School of Science at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) drinks more alcohol than other animal models and consumes it in a fashion similar to humans: choosing alcohol over other options and binge drinking.
In previous Animal models researchers found that the animals did not get as drunk as the new strain unless alcohol was the only choice of fluids, or alcohol was administered by the experimenter. When given the option, previously bred mouse lines continued to drink water even when they ccould select alcohol.
These new mice, selectively bred over 40 generations at the School of Science at IUPUI to prefer alcohol over all other choices, will help researchers explore new aspects of the behavioral and genetic determinants of alcoholism.
In a study published online ahead of print in the journal Addiction Biology , senior author Nicholas Grahame, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology in the School of Science at IUPUI, reports on the mice he has bred since 1997. The rodents reach blood-alcohol levels of more than 260 mg/dl of alcohol daily, over three times the equivalent of the human legal driving limit and the approximate consumption level that the severest human alcoholics attain.
"The free-choice drinking demonstrated by the new mouse line provides a unique opportunity to study the excessive intake that often occurs in alcohol-dependent individuals and to explore the predisposing factors for excessive consumption, as well as the development of physiological, behavioral and toxicological outcomes following alcohol exposure," says Grahame, who is a biopsychologist specializing in alcoholism.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, part of the National Institutes of Health, an estimated 17.6 million Americans abuse alcohol or are alcohol dependent. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism can be treated but cannot be cured.
Mice share 80 percent of their genes with humans, so they are an excellent model to study alcoholism, a disease with a strong genetic component. The risk of developing alcoholism is known to be influenced by lifestyle. Animal models allow researchers to employ methods that they are unable to use in humans.
"This line of high-alcohol-seeking mice should be able to give us a better understanding of the basic brain mechanism involved in alcohol consumption as well as greater insight into the toxic effects on the brain, with the goal of developing therapies," said Grahame, whose research focuses on behavioral genetics and behavioral pharmacology.
As with humans, the mice become intoxicated when the pace of alcohol consumption is faster than the liver can eliminate it. Typically it takes six or seven hours of continuous alcohol drinking for the new breed of mice to reach the highest levels of intoxication.
Doctoral candidate Liana M. Matson is a co-author of the study. She has conducted research focusing on when the mice drink and determined that they are nocturnal drinkers. This knowledge enabled the mice's blood-alcohol levels to be tested when at their highest level.
Undergraduate School of Science students Amy Buckingham and Nick Villalta assisted in the research by measuring intake and blood-alcohol levels in the new strain of high-alcohol-seeking mice. In a related study, they analyzed how drunk the mice became by testing how they performed on a balance beam.
Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.Visit our alcohol / addiction / illegal drugs section for the latest news on this subject. Development of the mouse line and the Addiction Biology study were funded by NIAAA and the School of Science at IUPUI.
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis School of Science Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:
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15 Dec. 2011.
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miercuri, 14 decembrie 2011
Teen Smoking And Drinking Drops, Marijuana Consumption Rises, USA
Main Category: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Also Included In: Smoking / Quit Smoking; Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 14 Dec 2011 - 18:00 PST
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Cigarette and alcohol consumption among 8th, 10th and 12th graders (14, 16 and 18 year olds) are lower than they have ever been since certain records began in 1975, but marijuana and non-medical prescription medication usage has increased, says a new report - "Monitoring the Future" (MTF) - issued by The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Consumption of some tobacco products did not fall, such as hookahs, smokeless tobacco and small cigars, the authors added.
In a news conference today, a NIDA spokesperson explained that more children appear to be abusing marijuana than cigarettes. Although alcohol consumption has dropped, it is still the favorite drug for children of these three ages.
Monitoring The Future is a survey which is done in classrooms and paid for by NIDA; it was carried out by researchers at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
NIDA director Dr. Nora D. Volkow, said:
"That cigarette use has declined to historically low rates is welcome news, given our concerns that declines may have slowed or stalled in recent years. That said, the teen smoking rate is declining much more slowly than in years past, and we are seeing teens consume other tobacco products at high levels.This highlights the urgency of maintaining strong prevention efforts against teen smoking and of targeting other tobacco products."
The findings for 2011 revealed that 18.7% of 12th-graders said they had smoked a cigarette during the previous four weeks, compared to 36.5% in 1997 and 21.6% in 2006. Among 8th graders, 6.1% say they are smokers, versus 21% fifteen years ago and 8.7% in 2006.
Assistant Secretary for Health, Howard K. Koh, MD, MPH, said:
"While it is good news that cigarette use has declined to historically low rates, we can and must do more to accelerate that decline. The actual decline is relatively small compared to the sharp declines we witnessed in the late nineties."Below are some of the results from the 2011 survey for self-reported alcohol consumption: 12th graders - 63.5% said they had consumed alcohol during the previous 12-month period, versus 74.8% in 19978th graders - 26.9% said they had consumed alcohol during the previous 12-month period, versus 46.8% in 1994Binge drinking - defined as consuming at least five drinks in one sitting at any time during the previous two weeks:
- 8th graders - 6.4% said they had, compared to 8.7% in 2006
-10th graders - 14.7% said they had, compared to 19.9% in 2006
-12th graders - 21.6% said they had, compared to 25.4% in 2006
While teenage marijuana abuse grows, so does their downward perception of risk associated with the drug: 25.9% of high school seniors viewed occasional marijuana as a great risk, compared to 22.7% today.48.9% of 8th-graders viewed occasional marijuana smoking as a great risk compared to 43.4% today.Among 12-graders, 11.4% said they had used K2 (also known as spice, or synthetic marijuana) during the previous twelve months. This is the first time questions regarding K2 have been included in the survey. The authors expressed "surprise" at this figure.Gil Kerlikowske, director of National Drug Control Policy, said:
"K2 and spice are dangerous drugs that can cause serious harm. We will continue to work with the public health and safety community to respond to this emerging threat but in the meantime, parents must take action. Parents are the most powerful force in the lives of young people and we ask that all of them talk to their teens today about the serious consequences of using marijuana, K2, or spice."Below are some more data regarding non-medical use of prescription and OTC medications In 2011, 8.1% of 12th-graders reported abusing Vicodin, an opioid painkiller, compared to 9.7% in 2009 (8.1% in 2010).In 2011, 5.9% of 10th-graders reported abusing Vicodin, compared to 7.7% in 2010.12th-graders - Adderal 6.5%, Ritalin 2.6%. Both medications used for ADHD treatment.8th graders - OTC cough medicines. Usage dropped to 2.7% in 2011, compared to 4.2% in 2006. For 12th-graders the figures were 5.3% and 6.9% respectively.Dr. Volkow said:
"To help educate teens about the dangers of prescription drug abuse, NIDA is launching an updated prescription drug section on our teen website. Teens can go to our PEERx page to find interactive videos and other tools that help them make healthy decisions and understand the risks of abusing prescription drugs. We are also encouraging teens to provide feedback on these resources through NIDA's teen blog, Sara Bellum, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or email."
Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today Visit our alcohol / addiction / illegal drugs section for the latest news on this subject. Monitoring the Future
NIDA (Part of the National Institutes of Health) Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:
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14 Dec. 2011.
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vineri, 9 decembrie 2011
Chocolate Consumption Halved By Taking A Short Walk
Also Included In: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Article Date: 09 Dec 2011 - 1:00 PST
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A 15-minute walk can cut snacking on chocolate at work by half, according to research by the University of Exeter. The study showed that, even in stressful situations, workers eat only half as much chocolate as they normally would after this short burst of physical activity.
Published in the journal Appetite, the research suggests that employees may find that short breaks away from their desks can help keen their minds off snacking.
In the study, 78 regular chocolate-eaters were invited to enter a simulated work environment, after two days abstinence from chocolate snacking. Two groups were asked to take a brisk 15-minute walk on a treadmill and were then given work to complete at a desk. One group was given an easy, low-stress task, while the other was asked to complete a more demanding job. The other two groups were asked to have a rest before completing the same tasks as the first two groups. Again, half were given an easier and the remainder a more challenging task. Chocolate was available in a bowl on the desk for all participants as they carried out their work.
Those who had exercised before working consumed on average half the amount of chocolate as the others: around 15 grammes, compared with 28 grammes. 15 grammes is equivalent to a small 'treat size' or 'fun size' chocolate bar.
The difficulty of the task made no difference to the amount of chocolate they ate, which suggests that stress did not contribute to their cravings for sweet snacks.
Lead researcher Professor Adrian Taylor of the University of Exeter said: "We know that snacking on high calorie foods, like chocolate, at work can become a mindless habit and can lead to weight gain over time. We often feel that these snacks give us an energy boost, or help us deal with the stress of our jobs, including boredom. People often find it difficult to cut down on their daily treats but this study shows that by taking a short walk, they are able to regulate their intake by half."
Exercise is known to have significant benefits for mood and energy levels and has potential for managing addictions. Professor Taylor and his colleagues at the University of Exeter have previously shown that exercise can curb cravings for chocolate but this is the first study to show a reduction in consumption.
Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.Visit our obesity / weight loss / fitness section for the latest news on this subject. Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:
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9 Dec. 2011.
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