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Binge drinking trajectory and neuropsychological functioning among university students: a longitudinal study
Nayara Mota1, María Parada, Alberto Crego
1Departamento de Fundamentos de Psicologia, Instituto de Psicologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua São Francisco de Xavier, 524, 10̊ andar, Bloco B, Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil.
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|June 25, 2013
Summary
Persistent binge drinking (BD) during university years is linked to poorer verbal memory and executive function. Stopping BD, however, showed no lasting cognitive deficits compared to non-drinkers.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Adolescence is a critical period for brain development.
- Binge drinking (BD) during adolescence heightens neurotoxic vulnerability.
- Understanding BD's long-term cognitive impact is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between binge drinking patterns throughout university and cognitive function.
- To differentiate the effects of persistent versus discontinued binge drinking.
Main Methods:
- A two-year longitudinal cohort study of 89 university students.
- Categorized students into Non-BD, Ex-BD (binge drinkers who stopped), and persistent BD groups.
- Assessed working memory, episodic memory, and executive functions using standardized tests.
Main Results:
- Persistent binge drinkers (BD) showed significantly lower performance in verbal memory recall and retention (WMS-III).
- Binge drinkers made more errors in executive function tasks (SOPT), indicating monitoring difficulties.
- No significant cognitive differences were found between Ex-BD and Non-BD groups.
Conclusions:
- Binge drinking trajectories during university significantly impact neuropsychological performance.
- Persistent binge drinking is associated with lasting verbal memory and executive monitoring deficits.
- These findings suggest heavy adolescent alcohol use may impair brain regions crucial for memory and executive control.
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