Adolescent alcohol use linked to long-term brain changes

binge drinking youth alcohol consumption public health study adolescent health Germany

Research from the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University indicates that repeated alcohol consumption during adolescence can cause long-term changes to brain structure and function. Using a preclinical rat model, researchers found that adolescent alcohol exposure disrupts communication between astrocytes and synapses, particularly in the hippocampus, a region vital for learning and memory. These neurological changes persisted even after long periods of abstinence and were associated with altered fear-related behaviors in adulthood.

In Germany, a study commissioned by the Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG) highlights ongoing trends in alcohol use among youth. The data shows that approximately 45.8 percent of men aged 18 to 25 engaged in binge drinking in 2025, a figure that remains high despite a slight decrease from 2023. Conversely, binge drinking among young women saw a decline from 32.0 percent to 26.1 percent during the same period. Federal addiction expert Hendrik Streeck warned that alcohol consumption during these critical developmental stages poses significant risks to both physical and mental health.

Entities

Bundesinstitut für Öffentliche Gesundheit · Germany · Hendrik Streeck · Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine · Marshall University · Mary Louise Risher · Mary-Louise Risher · hippocampus

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] In preclinical rat models, these brain changes were associated with altered fear-related behaviors in adulthood. es.euronews.com · it.euronews.com · pt.euronews.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Brain changes from adolescent alcohol consumption persist even after long periods of abstinence. es.euronews.com · it.euronews.com · pt.euronews.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Repeated alcohol exposure during adolescence disrupts communication between astrocytes and synapses in the hippocampus. es.euronews.com · it.euronews.com · pt.euronews.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The research aims to increase public awareness and develop new therapeutic approaches for long-term consequences of adolescent binge drinking. es.euronews.com · it.euronews.com · pt.euronews.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Brain changes caused by adolescent alcohol consumption persist even after long periods of abstinence. es.euronews.com · it.euronews.com · pt.euronews.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The research aims to increase public awareness and develop new therapeutic approaches for long-term consequences of binge drinking. es.euronews.com · it.euronews.com · pt.euronews.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Brain changes persist even after long periods of abstinence. www.leinetal24.de · de.euronews.com · www.mannheim24.de
[● 3 SOURCES] In a preclinical rat model, these changes were linked to anxiety-related behavior in adulthood. www.leinetal24.de · de.euronews.com · www.mannheim24.de
[● 3 SOURCES] The hippocampus is a primary brain region affected by these changes. www.leinetal24.de · de.euronews.com · www.mannheim24.de
[● 3 SOURCES] Excessive alcohol consumption during youth can cause permanent changes to the brain. www.leinetal24.de · de.euronews.com · www.mannheim24.de
[● 3 SOURCES] Repeated alcohol consumption in youth disrupts communication between astrocytes and synapses. www.leinetal24.de · de.euronews.com · www.mannheim24.de