Previous research has indicated that teen drinking may interfere with critical brain development. Researchers at UW say that the results of this new study actually suggest that teen alcohol abuse may "rewire" the brain to impair good decision-making in the future.
For the study, the UW research team monitored the behavior of two groups of rats at two different developmental stages. The researchers provided one group of adolescent rats with access to gelatin mixed with alcohol for 20 days. The other group was provided nonalcoholic gelatin treats for the same amount of time.
Three weeks later, when the rats were considered adults, they were given two choices: push a lever that always spits out two sugary treats, or push another one that may give them four yummy pellets -- or none at all.
The rats who consumed alcoholic gelatin in adolescence were more likely to make the risky decision by pressing the lever that may not give them anything at all, whereas the rats who consumed the non-alcoholic gelatin were more likely to choose the lever that routinely delivered treats.
The rats were tested again three months later - well into adulthood - and their behaviors were virtually the same.
(Source: www.webmd.com)
Posted By: Aspen Education Group