From the ArcaMax Publishing, Health & Fitness Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/healthtips/s-343925-731544
DURHAM, N.C. (UPI) -- U.S. scientists suggest heavy drinking in
adulthood may be traced to teen drinking experiences.
The study, published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental
Research, found rats that demonstrated a "taste" for alcohol after
only three nights of drinking were very likely to be the biggest
drinkers after longer-term exposure.
"We can cautiously extrapolate from rodents to humans. The findings
suggest that early 'big drinkers' are the people who should be
targeted for alcoholism-prevention efforts," first author Nicole L.
Schramm-Sapyta of Duke University School of Medicine says in a
statement. "Drinking patterns in adolescents may be set after only a
few exposures to alcohol."
The studies in rats also measured drinking right after travel through
an elevated maze -- a way to raise anxiety levels and stress-related
hormone levels. The rats were also tested for drinking after
scientists observed their preference for new objects and for exploring
a new place. The results showed stress and novelty seeking were not
related to the drinking outcomes in rats.
"This suggests that there are other traits that scientists should be
looking for, that are related to the early experiences of drinking,"
Schramm-Sapyta says.