Print Page

Why Men Are More Susceptible to Alcoholism

Author: Elsevier
Published: 2010/10/18
Topic: Addiction and Substance Abuse (Publications Database)

Page Content: Synopsis Introduction Main Item

Synopsis: Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused substances and men are up to twice as likely to develop alcoholism as women.

Introduction

Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused substances, and men are up to twice as likely to develop alcoholism as women.

Main Item

Until now, the underlying biology contributing to this difference in vulnerability has remained unclear.

A new study published in Biological Psychiatry reveals that dopamine may be an important factor.

Researchers from Columbia and Yale studied male and female college-age social drinkers in a laboratory test of alcohol consumption. After consuming an alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink, each participant underwent a specialized positron emission tomography (PET) scan, an imaging technique that can measure the amount of alcohol-induced dopamine release.

Dopamine has multiple functions in the brain, but is important in this context because of its pleasurable effects when it is released by rewarding experiences, such as sex or drugs.

Despite similar consumptions of alcohol, the men had greater dopamine release than women. This increase was found in the ventral striatum, an area in the brain strongly associated with pleasure, reinforcement and addiction formation.

"In men, increased dopamine release also had a stronger association with subjective positive effects of alcohol intoxication," explained Dr. Nina Urban, corresponding author for this study. "This may contribute to the initial reinforcing properties of alcohol and the risk for habit formation."

Dr. Anissa Abi-Dargham, senior author on this project, notes that "another important observation from this study is the decline in alcohol-induced dopamine release with repeated heavy drinking episodes. This may be one of the hallmarks of developing tolerance or transitioning into habit."

These findings indicate that the ability of alcohol to stimulate dopamine release may play an important and complex role in its rewarding effects and abuse liability in humans. This identification of an in vivo neuro-chemical mechanism that could help explain the sex difference in alcoholism is an exciting step forward in alcoholism research.

Explore Similar Topics

1 - - Survey finds just 25 percent of adults could identify nicotine pouches if they saw them, but they are skyrocketing in popularity.

2 - - Research reveals food brands owned by tobacco companies appear to have selectively disseminated hyperpalatable foods to American consumers.

3 - - People with kleptomania exhibit distinct patterns of gazing and brain activity when shown images with environmental cues relevant to their symptoms.


Page Information, Citing and Disclaimer

Disabled World is a comprehensive online resource that provides information and news related to disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility issues. Founded in 2004 our website covers a wide range of topics, including disability rights, healthcare, education, employment, and independent living, with the goal of supporting the disability community and their families.

Cite This Page (APA): Elsevier. (2010, October 18). Why Men Are More Susceptible to Alcoholism. Disabled World. Retrieved December 12, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/medical/pharmaceutical/addiction/male-alcoholism.php

Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/medical/pharmaceutical/addiction/male-alcoholism.php">Why Men Are More Susceptible to Alcoholism</a>: Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused substances and men are up to twice as likely to develop alcoholism as women.

While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it's important to note that our content is for general informational purposes only. We always recommend consulting qualified healthcare professionals for personalized medical advice. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.