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Binge drinking during adolescence may upset brain development at a critical time and leave lasting effects on genes and behaviour that persist into adulthood. These are the conclusions of a study carried out by researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine after research on rats.
Professor Subhash Pandey and colleagues exposed a group of adlolescent rats to alcohol on a two day on, two day off pattern for thirteen days. The rats were monitored into adulthood for signs of any abnormal behaviour.
It was seen those rats exposed to alcohol in adolescence exhibited increased anxiety like behaviours and drank more alcohol as adults.
When brain tissue from the amygdala was examined they noted the DNA and histones appeared to be tightly wrapped.
They also found an increase in levels of the protein HDAC2, which modifies histones in a way that causes DNA to be wound tighter around them. These changes were in turn linked to a lowered expression of a gene that nerve cells need in order to form synaptic connections. Professor Pandey says the lowered activity of this gene may be due to the tighter wrapping of its DNA.
This research, says Pandey, provides "a mechanism for how binge drinking during adolescence may lead to lasting [epigenetic] changes..that result in increased anxiety and alcoholism in adults".
However when a drug which is used in cancer treatment and known to block the activity of the HDAC2 was given to the rats, it restored gene expression needed for synaptic formation.
Details here..
http://news.uic.edu/adolescent-drinking-affects-adult-behavior-through-long-lasting-changes-in-genes
Professor Subhash Pandey and colleagues exposed a group of adlolescent rats to alcohol on a two day on, two day off pattern for thirteen days. The rats were monitored into adulthood for signs of any abnormal behaviour.
It was seen those rats exposed to alcohol in adolescence exhibited increased anxiety like behaviours and drank more alcohol as adults.
When brain tissue from the amygdala was examined they noted the DNA and histones appeared to be tightly wrapped.
They also found an increase in levels of the protein HDAC2, which modifies histones in a way that causes DNA to be wound tighter around them. These changes were in turn linked to a lowered expression of a gene that nerve cells need in order to form synaptic connections. Professor Pandey says the lowered activity of this gene may be due to the tighter wrapping of its DNA.
This research, says Pandey, provides "a mechanism for how binge drinking during adolescence may lead to lasting [epigenetic] changes..that result in increased anxiety and alcoholism in adults".
However when a drug which is used in cancer treatment and known to block the activity of the HDAC2 was given to the rats, it restored gene expression needed for synaptic formation.
Details here..
http://news.uic.edu/adolescent-drinking-affects-adult-behavior-through-long-lasting-changes-in-genes