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Associations between Adolescent Alcohol Use and Neurocognitive Functioning in Young Adulthood
Patricia L East1, Jorge Delva2, Estela Blanco3
1Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
Applied Developmental Science
|January 15, 2024
Summary
Excessive adolescent alcohol use impacts young adult cognition differently by sex. Females showed declines in memory and attention, while males had slight improvements in some areas.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Adolescence is a critical period for brain development.
- Excessive alcohol consumption during this period may have long-term neurocognitive consequences.
- Understanding sex-specific effects is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between adolescent alcohol intake (bingeing and intoxication) and neurocognitive functioning in young adulthood.
- To determine if these associations differ between males and females.
- To control for other substance use and illicit substance use.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 692 Chilean adolescents (mean age 16.0 years, 54.5% female).
- Assessed frequency of binge drinking and intoxication in adolescence.
- Evaluated neurocognitive functions (visual memory, attention, processing speed, etc.) in young adulthood (mean age 21.2 years).
Main Results:
- No overall effects of intoxication or bingeing on neurocognition when sexes were combined.
- Females: Higher intoxication frequency linked to poorer visual memory, attention, processing speed, response inhibition, and cognitive flexibility.
- Males: Higher intoxication frequency linked to better attention and processing speed; no significant effects on other domains.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent alcohol intoxication has sex-specific effects on neurocognitive outcomes in young adulthood.
- Females appear more vulnerable to negative cognitive impacts from frequent intoxication.
- Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms behind these divergent sex effects.
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