Volume 58, Issue 5, September 2023

Short Summary: A PRISMA systematic review was conducted to evaluate neuroanatomical predictors of problematic alcohol consumption in adolescents. Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Neuroanatomical predictors of future problematic drinking in adolescents were distributed across various brain regions including the orbitofrontal cortex and paralimbic regions. However, the findings were largely heterogeneous.

Short Summary: In this retrospective cohort study, we investigated the impact of moderate-high intensity exercise on the development of alcohol-associated liver disease in patients with alcohol use disorder, using International Classification of Diseases 10 codes. For each hour of reported moderate-high intensity exercise patients had progressively decreasing odds of developing alcohol-associated liver disease.

Short Summary: This study investigates the global burden of alcoholic cirrhosis (AC) and alcoholic liver cancer (ALC) based on data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD). The study found that the prevention of AC and ALC should be promoted in medium and medium-high sociodemographic index (SDI) regions, whereas more medical resources should be made available to improve treatment in low SDI regions.

Short Summary: Plasma ghrelin levels were found to be associated with urgency in alcohol-dependent patients and sensation-seeking in healthy individuals. This study is the first to demonstrate a relationship between ghrelin and trait impulsivity in both alcohol-dependent and healthy participants.

Short Summary: This cross-sectional study investigated differences in the association between impulsivity, emotion regulation and binge drinking (BD) in young adults according to the rs6265/Val66Met single-nucleotide polymorphism in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene. The results support the hypothesis of common and specific vulnerability factors associated with BD according to this polymorphism.

Short Summary: Other drug use in racial/ethnic minority adults (i.e. tobacco and illicit drug use in Black and Hispanic adults and marijuana and non-medical prescription drug use in Asian adults) was associated with disproportionately greater odds for risky drinking than in White adults.

We conducted a longitudinal study in driving while impaired (DWI) offenders examining their non-DWI risky driving outcomes 3 and 9 years after baseline. Depressed mood, alcohol misuse, and sensation-seeking were included as predictors of interest. Alcohol misuse emerged as a significant predictor of non-DWI risky driving 3 years after baseline.

Short Summary: Most community-dwelling young adults like smartphone apps to reduce risky drinking, but preferences for help vary with drinking risks. Riskier drinkers prefer help that allows greater anonymity (e.g. apps, friends), whereas less risky drinkers prefer in-person professional help. Results inform services based on drinker risks for this underserved population.

Short Summary: We used Hospital Episode Statistics Data to explore associations between clinical and demographic factors and discharge against medical advice. Significant factors were admission via emergency, weekend discharge, living with no fixed abode, being male, being younger, and having a shorter length of stay. This information will support the development of Alcohol Care Teams in hospitals.

Short Summary: This single-blind, dose-dependent randomized controlled trial shows that low-dose baclofen is useful to reduce the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal in patients during alcohol detoxification. Baclofen 30 and 60 mg/day showed no severe side effects compared to placebo and was able to reduce the need for diazepam during alcohol detoxification.