Indulge in binge drinking in the evenings, a widespread practice among the younger generations, affects the brain. Researchers from the University of Picardy, with the universities of Reims and Sussex warn against this type of behavior with toxic consequences on the brain. In a study published in the journal Addiction Biology, they explain that this type of chronic drunkenness ends up permanently deteriorating the white matter of the brain. This whitish tissue ensures the good circulation of information in the nervous system and therefore the good connection between the neurons. With these “express bitings”, white matter degrades, disrupting the proper transmission of information. This results in poor working memory and difficulty in reasoning, reports Le Figaro.
This impact on cognitive abilities was drawn from the analysis of forty students aged 18 to 25. They were given questionnaires, MRI scans and cognitive tests, twice, one year apart. Some were fond of binge drinking others were not, which allowed for comparisons.
Generational binge-drinking
This information is all the more worrying as this practice of binge drinking is spreading more and more among young people: 14% of 15-24 year-olds and 10% of 25-34 year-olds have taken part in it over the course of the year. ‘year according to the National Institute for Prevention and Health Education (Inpes).
Characterized by more occasional than regular alcohol consumption and more and more frequent drunkenness, the behavior of young French people is similar to that of Anglo-Saxon countries according to Inpes.
This study comes after the publication of another American study warning against the ravages of binge drinking on the liver when it is combined with regular alcohol consumption.
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