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Konar-Nié M, Guzman-Castillo A, Armijo-Weingart L, Aguayo LG. Aging in nucleus accumbens and its impact on alcohol use disorders. Alcohol 2023; 107:73-90. [PMID: 36087859 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2022.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Ethanol is one of the most widely consumed drugs in the world and prolonged excessive ethanol intake might lead to alcohol use disorders (AUDs), which are characterized by neuroadaptations in different brain regions, such as in the reward circuitry. In addition, the global population is aging, and it appears that they are increasing their ethanol consumption. Although research involving the effects of alcohol in aging subjects is limited, differential effects have been described. For example, studies in human subjects show that older adults perform worse in tests assessing working memory, attention, and cognition as compared to younger adults. Interestingly, in the field of the neurobiological basis of ethanol actions, there is a significant dichotomy between what we know about the effects of ethanol on neurochemical targets in young animals and how it might affect them in the aging brain. To be able to understand the distinct effects of ethanol in the aging brain, the following questions need to be answered: (1) How does physiological aging impact the function of an ethanol-relevant region (e.g., the nucleus accumbens)? and (2) How does ethanol affect these neurobiological systems in the aged brain? This review discusses the available data to try to understand how aging affects the nucleus accumbens (nAc) and its neurochemical response to alcohol. The data show that there is little information on the effects of ethanol in aged mice and rats, and that many studies had considered 2-3-month-old mice as adults, which needs to be reconsidered since more recent literature defines 6 months as young adults and >18 months as an older mouse. Considering the actual relevance of an aged worldwide population and that this segment is drinking more frequently, it appears at least reasonable to explore how ethanol affects the brain in adult and aged models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Macarena Konar-Nié
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile.
| | - Alejandra Guzman-Castillo
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile; Programa en Neurociencia, Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Universidad de Concepción, Concepcion, Chile.
| | - Lorena Armijo-Weingart
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile; Programa en Neurociencia, Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Universidad de Concepción, Concepcion, Chile.
| | - Luis Gerardo Aguayo
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile; Programa en Neurociencia, Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Universidad de Concepción, Concepcion, Chile.
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Alcohol and aging - An area of increasing concern. Alcohol 2023; 107:19-27. [PMID: 35940508 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2022.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use is increasing among adults 65 and older and the size of this population is expanding rapidly. Aging is associated with systemic inflammation, sleep disturbances, cancers, cognitive decline, and increased risk of injury and death from falls and other accidents. Alcohol misuse exacerbates and accelerates these age-related changes. Older drinkers are more sensitive to acute alcohol-induced impairments in memory, coordination, reaction time, and driving performance. Oxidative stress and DNA damage resulting from chronic heavy alcohol consumption contribute to an increased risk of cancer, liver disease, and cardiovascular disease. Medication use increases with age and many medications prescribed to older adults can interact negatively with alcohol. The rapid expansion of the population aged 65 and older, combined with higher levels of alcohol use and AUD in the Baby Boomer cohort than the preceding generation, could significantly increase the burden of alcohol on the healthcare system resulting from AUD and alcohol-related injuries and diseases. Screening and brief intervention for hazardous alcohol use among older patients along with education regarding potential interactions between alcohol and medications could substantially reduce the risk of harms from alcohol but currently is underutilized.
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Foster TC. Animal models for studies of alcohol effects on the trajectory of age-related cognitive decline. Alcohol 2023; 107:4-11. [PMID: 35504438 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2022.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
There is growing interest in understanding how ethanol use interacts with advancing age to influence the brain and cognition. Animal models are employed to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of brain aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases that underlie cognitive decline. However, all too often research on problems and diseases of the elderly are conducted in healthy young animals, providing little clinical relevance. The validity of animal models is discussed, and confounds due to age-related differences in anxiety, sensory-motor function, and procedural learning are highlighted in order to enhance the successful translation of preclinical results into clinical settings. The mechanism of action of ethanol on brain aging will depend on the dose, acute or chronic treatment, or withdrawal from treatment and the age examined. Due to the fact that humans experience alcohol use throughout life, important questions concern the effects of the dose and duration of ethanol treatment on the trajectory of cognitive function. Central to this research will be questions of the specificity of alcohol effects on cognitive functions and related brain regions that decline with age, as well as the interaction of alcohol with mechanisms or biomarkers of brain aging. Alternatively, moderate alcohol use may provide a source of reserve and resilience against brain aging. Longitudinal studies have the advantage of being sensitive to detecting the effects of treatment on the emergence of cognitive impairment in middle age and can minimize effects of stress/anxiety associated with the novelty of alcohol exposure and behavioral testing, which disproportionately influence aged animals. Finally, the effect of alcohol on senescent neurophysiology and biomarkers of brain aging are discussed. In particular, the interaction of age and effects of alcohol on inflammation, oxidative stress, N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor function, and the balance of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas C Foster
- Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.
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Lin HA, Chan CW, Wiratama BS, Chen PL, Wang MH, Chao CJ, Saleh W, Huang HC, Pai CW. Evaluating the effect of drunk driving on fatal injuries among vulnerable road users in Taiwan: a population-based study. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:2059. [DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14402-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Most studies have focused on injuries sustained by intoxicated drivers themselves, but few have examined the effect of drunk driving on injury outcomes among VRUs (vulnerable road users) in developing countries. This study aims to evaluate the effect of drunk driving on fatal injuries among VRUs (pedestrians, cyclists, or motorcyclists).
Methods
The data were extracted from the National Taiwan Traffic Crash Dataset from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2019. Crashes involving one motorized vehicle and one VRU were considered. This study examines the effect of drunk driving by estimating multivariate logistic regression models of fatal injuries among VRUs after controlling for other variables.
Results
Among 1,416,168 casualties, the fatality rate of VRUs involved in drunk driving was higher than that of general road users (2.1% vs. 0.6%). Drunk driving was a significant risk factor for fatal injuries among VRUs. Other risk factors for fatal injuries among VRUs included VRU age ≥ 65 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 5.24, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.53–6.07), a nighttime accident (AOR: 4.52, 95% CI: 4.22–4.84), and being hit by a heavy-duty vehicle (AOR: 2.83, 95% CI: 2.26–3.55). Subgroup analyses revealed a linear relationship between driver blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and the risk of fatal injury among motorcyclists. Motorcyclists exhibited the highest fatality rate when they had a BAC ≤ 0.03% (AOR: 3.54, 95% CI: 3.08–4.08).
Conclusion
Drunk driving was associated with a higher risk of fatality for all VRUs. The risk of fatal injury among motorcyclists was linearly related to the BAC of the drunk drivers. Injuries were more severe for intoxicated motorcyclists, even those with BAC ≤ 0.03%, which is within the legal limit.
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Simmons SM, Caird JK, Sterzer F, Asbridge M. The effects of cannabis and alcohol on driving performance and driver behaviour: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Addiction 2022; 117:1843-1856. [PMID: 35083810 DOI: 10.1111/add.15770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Cannabis and alcohol are frequently detected in fatal and injury motor vehicle crashes. While epidemiological meta-analyses of cannabis and alcohol have found associations with an increase in crash risk, convergent evidence from driving performance measures is insufficiently quantitatively characterized. Our objectives were to quantify the magnitude of the effect of cannabis and alcohol-alone and in combination-on driving performance and behaviour. METHODS Systematic review and meta-analysis. We systematically searched Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus and TRID. Of the 616 studies that underwent full-text review, this meta-analysis represents 57 studies and 1725 participants. We extracted data for hazard response time, lateral position variability, lane deviations or excursions, time out of lane, driving speed, driving speed variability, speed violations, time speeding, headway, headway variability and crashes from experimental driving studies (i.e. driving simulator, closed-course, on-road) involving cannabis and/or alcohol administration. We reported meta-analyses of effect sizes using Hedges' g and r. RESULTS Cannabis alone was associated with impaired lateral control [e.g. g = 0.331, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.212-0.451 for lateral position variability; g = 0.198, 95% CI = 0.001-0.395 for lane excursions) and decreased driving speed (g = -0.176, 95% CI = -0.298 to -0.053]. The combination of cannabis and alcohol was associated with greater driving performance decrements than either drug in isolation [e.g. g = 0.480, 95% CI = 0.096-0.865 for lateral position variability (combination versus alcohol); g = 0.525, 95% CI = 0.049-1.002 for time out of lane (versus alcohol); g = 0.336, 95% CI = 0.036-0.636 for lateral position variability (combination versus cannabis; g = 0.475, 95% CI = 0.002-0.949 for time out of lane (combination versus cannabis)]. Subgroup analyses indicated that the effects of cannabis on driving performance measures were similar to low blood alcohol concentrations. A scarcity of data and study heterogeneity limited the interpretation of some measures. CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis indicates that cannabis, like alcohol, impairs driving, and the combination of the two drugs is more detrimental to driving performance than either in isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Simmons
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jeff K Caird
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,O'Brien Institute of Public Health, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Frances Sterzer
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Mark Asbridge
- Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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da Costa BRB, Freitas BT, Caleffo Piva Bigão VL, Perdoná GDSC, De Martinis BS. Alcohol and Alcohol Combined with Texting: Evaluation of Driving Impairment Effects in a Closed-Course Section. Subst Use Misuse 2022; 57:1808-1817. [PMID: 35997035 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2022.2115850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Examine the driving impairment effects of alcohol alone and of alcohol combined with texting. METHODS Fifteen drivers (nine male, six female; mean age: 31.1 ± 6.9 years, range: 23 to 43 years) with similar drinking habit (i.e., social drinkers) completed a lap in a closed-course section in six different situations: (I) sober; (II) sober and while texting; (III) 30 minutes after ingesting a moderate dose of ethanol (0.50 g/kg); (IV) 30 minutes after drinking and while texting; (V) 60 minutes after drinking, (VI) 60 minutes after drinking and while texting. Driving performance was analyzed by means of maximum and mean speed, braking time and braking distance; and ability to control the car (i.e., evaluating if the drivers hit a traffic cone or exceeded the boundaries of the course). P values of < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS Pre and post-alcohol consumption results show a significant increase concerning the drivers' mean and maximum speed after drinking (p < 3.2x10-8). However, neither alcohol nor texting had significant effects on braking parameters (p > 0.05). Traffic cones were knocked down only in texting experiments. In addition, when using the cell phone drivers tended to reduce the speed, and to accelerate abruptly right after they finish texting. CONCLUSION Our findings strengthen the hypothesis that even moderate alcohol doses may significantly impair the driving performance. Additionally, alcohol and texting have complementary effects on driving impairment, and their combination represents a significant risk factor for crashes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Ruiz Brandão da Costa
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Bruno Toledo Freitas
- Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Bruno Spinosa De Martinis
- Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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Abstract
Older adults continue to drink as they age. Aging changes alcohol kinetics just as with any other drug. Older adults have increased sensitivity to acute alcohol intake that accounts for the increased risk of falls, traffic accidents, and other injury. The Annual Medicare Wellness Exam is an excellent opportunity to introduce screening for unsafe drinking along with accumulated risks and deficits of aging. Older adults have responded well to brief interventions for unhealthy drinking. In the presence of alcohol use disorder or serious comorbidity including psychiatric illness, referral to specialized multidisciplinary care can be lifesaving.
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Bhojak T, Jia Y, Jacobsen E, Snitz BE, Chang CCH, Ganguli M. Driving Habits of Older Adults: A Population-based Study. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2021; 35:250-257. [PMID: 33769988 PMCID: PMC8387314 DOI: 10.1097/wad.0000000000000443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe factors associated with driving history, habits, and self-reported driving difficulties of 1982 older adults in a population-based survey. SETTING This was a community setting. PARTICIPANTS Age-stratified random population sample drawn from publicly available voter registration list. DESIGN Participants underwent assessments including cognitive testing and self-reported current and past driving status, instrumental activities of daily living, self-rated health, social supports, physical limitations, and depressive symptoms. We built multivariable logistic regression models to identify factors associated with never having driven, having ceased driving, and reporting difficulties while driving. RESULTS In the multivariable model, "never drivers" were more likely than "ever drivers" to be older, female, less educated and to leave home less frequently. Former drivers were significantly older, more likely to be women, have lower test performance in the cognitive domain of attention, have more instrumental activity of daily living difficulties, leave home less frequently and have visual field deficits in the right eye than current drivers. Current drivers with reported driving difficulties were more likely than those without difficulties to have lower test performance in attention but higher in memory, were more likely to report depressive symptoms and to have both vision and hearing loss. CONCLUSION Age, female sex, marital status, and education appear to be associated with driving cessation. Cognitive and functional impairments, mood symptoms and physical health also seem to influence driving cessation and reduction. Our findings may have implications for clinicians in assessing and educating their patients and families on driving safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tejal Bhojak
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Yichen Jia
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Erin Jacobsen
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Beth E. Snitz
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Chung-Chou H. Chang
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Mary Ganguli
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
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9
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Yadav AK, Velaga NR. Modelling brake transition time of young alcohol-impaired drivers using hazard-based duration models. ACCIDENT; ANALYSIS AND PREVENTION 2021; 157:106169. [PMID: 33965845 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2021.106169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Braking performance of drivers is a crucial factor in evaluating the collision patterns and implementing road safety measures. Further, alcohol is known to impair driving control. The present study aims to examine the influence of a comprehensive range of Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) levels (0%, 0.03 %, 0.05 % and 0.08 %) on brake transition times of drivers. As young drivers show significantly higher crash risks compared to the experienced drivers, fifty-four young Indian drivers in the age group of 21-25 years (forty males and fourteen females) participated in the driving simulator experiments. The study adopted the framework of a within-subjects design, where each driver encountered rural and urban driving scenarios in a counterbalanced order, during experimental driving at each of the four BAC levels. Their brake transition times were estimated with respect to sudden pedestrian crossing events. Weibull Accelerated Failure Time (AFT) models with shared frailty were developed for quantifying the effects of BAC levels along with driver attributes on brake transition time. Preliminary analysis showed significant main effects of BAC (p < 0.001) and driving environment (p = 0.002) on brake transition time; however, their interaction effect was not significant (p = 0.485). The models revealed that 0.03 %, 0.05 % and 0.08 % BACs significantly reduced the brake transition times by 16 %, 28 % and 52 % in rural driving environment, and by 23 %, 37 % and 53 % in urban driving environment, compared to 0% BAC. The study outcomes may find application in assisting collision warning systems which take into account the braking behaviour of drivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankit Kumar Yadav
- Transportation Systems Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay Powai, Mumbai, 400 076, India.
| | - Nagendra R Velaga
- Transportation Systems Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay Powai, Mumbai, 400 076, India.
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Johnson MB, Mechtler L, Ali B, Swedler D, Kelley-Baker T. Cannabis and crash risk among older drivers. ACCIDENT; ANALYSIS AND PREVENTION 2021; 152:105987. [PMID: 33549974 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2021.105987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to reanalyze data collected from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Drug and Alcohol Crash Risk Study to investigate whether driving under the influence of cannabis (THC-positive) was associated with elevated crash risk for younger and older drivers. The data came from a case-control relative risk study collected from Virginia Beach, VA, over a 20-month period. Data collectors gathered driver information from the scene of vehicle crashes and, in some cases, from hospitals. Non-crash controls were sampled from the same locations, days, and times as crashes. Key data items included driver demographics and oral fluid and blood samples, which were assayed for licit and illicit drugs. We found no overall association between cannabis use and risk of crash involvement. However, when age and age2 were allowed to interact with THC, significant interaction effects emerged. THC was associated with increased risk of crash involvement for older drivers. Difference between THC-positive and sober drivers emerged as significant at age 64. The research underscores the value of examining drugged driving in the context of driver age. Age-related declines in neurocognitive and psychomotor functioning were not measured but might be important in explaining the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark B Johnson
- Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), 11720 Beltsville Drive, Suite 900, Calverton, MD 20705, USA.
| | - Laszlo Mechtler
- Dent Neurologic Institute, 3980 Sheridan Drive, Amherst, NY 14226, USA
| | - Bina Ali
- Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), 11720 Beltsville Drive, Suite 900, Calverton, MD 20705, USA
| | - David Swedler
- Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), 11720 Beltsville Drive, Suite 900, Calverton, MD 20705, USA
| | - Tara Kelley-Baker
- AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 607 14th Street, NW, Suite 201, Washington, DC 20005-2000, USA
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Yadav AK, Velaga NR. Alcohol-impaired driving in rural and urban road environments: Effect on speeding behaviour and crash probabilities. ACCIDENT; ANALYSIS AND PREVENTION 2020; 140:105512. [PMID: 32234551 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2020.105512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Speeding behaviour is known to influence crash risk among alcohol-impaired drivers, but this relationship is scarcely explored. The present study investigated the effects of different Blood Alcohol Concentrations (BAC) levels on driving performance with respect to mean speed of drivers and their ability to avoid crashes during sudden events while driving. Eighty-two drivers participated in the simulation driving experiment at four BAC levels (0%, 0.03 %, 0.05 % and 0.08 % BAC) in rural and urban driving scenarios. Two sudden events (pedestrian crossing and road crossing by parked vehicles (a car and a truck) in the perpendicular direction of traffic) were designed to evaluate the crash probabilities in both the driving scenarios. Generalized linear mixed models were developed to analyse the effects of BAC levels and driver attributes (e.g., age, gender) on mean speeds and crash probabilities. Results for mean speed showed that, compared to sober state, drivers drove 3.5 kmph, 5.76 kmph and 8.78 kmph faster at 0.03 %, 0.05 % and 0.08 % BAC respectively in the rural environment and this increment was 3.6 kmph, 3.69 kmph and 4.13 kmph in the urban environment. The model results for crash probabilities revealed that 0.03 %, 0.05 % and 0.08 % BAC levels increased the crash probabilities by 1.9 times, 2 times and 3 times in case of the rural environment and 2 times, 2.3 times and 3.5 times respectively in the urban driving environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankit Kumar Yadav
- Transportation Systems Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, 400 076, India.
| | - Nagendra R Velaga
- Transportation Systems Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, 400 076, India.
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Garcia CC, Lewis B, Boissoneault J, Nixon SJ. Effects of Age and Acute Moderate Alcohol Consumption on Electrophysiological Indices of Attention. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 2020; 81:372-383. [PMID: 32527389 PMCID: PMC7299192 DOI: 10.15288/jsad.2020.81.372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 03/30/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite increased attention to risks and benefits associated with moderate drinking lifestyles among aging adults, relatively few empirical studies focus on acute alcohol effects in older drinkers. Using electroencephalographic indices of early attention modulation (P1 and N1) and later stimulus processing (P3), we investigated whether acute alcohol consumption at socially relevant doses differentially influences neurocognitive performance in older, relative to younger, moderate drinkers. METHOD Younger (25-35 years; n = 97) and older (55-70 years; n = 87) healthy drinkers were randomly assigned to receive one of three alcohol doses (placebo, .04 g/dl, or .065 g/dl target breath alcohol concentrations). Repeated-measures analysis of variance examined the effects of age, alcohol dose concentration, and their potential interaction on P1/P3 amplitudes and N1 latency during completion of a directed attend/ignore task. RESULTS Age-specific effects on P1 amplitudes varied by instruction set, with alcohol-associated decreases in amplitude among older drinkers in response to task-relevant stimuli and increases to irrelevant stimuli, F(2, 141) = 2.70, p = .07, ηp2 = .04. In contrast, N1 analyses demonstrated alcohol-related latency reductions among older, relative to younger, adults, F(2, 83) = 3.42, p = .04. Although no Age × Alcohol interactions were detected for P3, main effects indicated dose-dependent amplitude reductions for relevant stimuli, F(2, 144) = 5.73, p < .01, ηp2 = .08. CONCLUSIONS Our results underscore the impact of acute moderate alcohol consumption on attentional functioning, highlighting age-dependent sensitivity in electrophysiological indices of early attentional processing. Given the import of attentional functioning to quality of life and increases in drinking among a rapidly expanding aging population, these findings have broad public health relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian C. Garcia
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
- University of Florida Center for Addiction Research & Education, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Ben Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
- University of Florida Center for Addiction Research & Education, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Jeff Boissoneault
- University of Florida Center for Addiction Research & Education, Gainesville, Florida
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Sara Jo Nixon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
- University of Florida Center for Addiction Research & Education, Gainesville, Florida
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13
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Nixon SJ, Lewis B. Cognitive training as a component of treatment of alcohol use disorder: A review. Neuropsychology 2019; 33:822-841. [PMID: 31448949 DOI: 10.1037/neu0000575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cognitive training is an effective means of improving performance in a range of populations. Whether it may serve to facilitate cognitive recovery and longer-term outcomes in persons with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) is unclear. Here, we review historical and current literature and offer perspectives for model development and potential implementation. METHOD We considered a large literature regarding the nature of alcohol-related compromise, early efforts to clarify the nature of recovery and current models and methods underlying cognitive training paradigms. We then constructed a narrative review demonstrating evolving frameworks and empirical data informing the critical review of cognitive training methods as a means of mitigating compromise and facilitating functional outcomes. RESULTS Cognitive improvement with abstinence is generally noted, but training protocols may enhance performance and generalize benefit to untrained, but highly similar, tasks. Transfer of training to dissimilar tasks and functional outcomes is uncommonly reported. It is noteworthy that some work suggests that clinician ratings for participants are improved. Inconsistency in sample characteristics, training protocols, and outcome measures constrain general conclusions while suggesting opportunities for study and development. CONCLUSIONS Cognitive training protocols have shown benefit in a variety of populations but have been examined infrequently in persons with AUDs. This overview indicates significant opportunity for cognitive improvement and recovery and thus a strong potential role for training protocols. However, supportive data are not robustly obtained. We suggest that one step in bridging this gap is the implementation of a conceptual framework incorporating contextual, behavioral, and neurobiological variables. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
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Nixon SJ, Lewis B. Clarifying the neurobehavioral sequelae of moderate drinking lifestyles and acute alcohol effects with aging. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2019; 148:39-78. [PMID: 31733667 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2019.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological estimates indicate not only an increase in the proportion of older adults, but also an increase in those who continue moderate alcohol consumption. Substantial literatures have attempted to characterize health benefits/risks of moderate drinking lifestyles. Not uncommonly, reports address outcomes in a single outcome, such as cardiovascular function or cognitive decline, rather than providing a broader overview of systems. In this narrative review, retaining focus on neurobiological considerations, we summarize key findings regarding moderate drinking and three health domains, cardiovascular health, Type 2 diabetes (T2D), and cognition. Interestingly, few investigators have studied bouts of low/moderate doses of alcohol consumption, a pattern consistent with moderate drinking lifestyles. Here, we address both moderate drinking as a lifestyle and as an acute event. Review of health-related correlates illustrates continuing inconsistencies. Although substantive reductions in risk for cardiovascular and T2D events are reported, robust conclusions remain elusive. Similarly, whereas moderate drinking is often associated with enhanced cognition and lower dementia risk, few benefits are noted in rates of decline or alterations in brain structure. The effect of sex/gender varies across health domains and by consumption levels. For example, women appear to differentially benefit from alcohol use in terms of T2D, but experience greater risk when considering aspects of cardiovascular function. Finally, we observe that socially relevant alcohol doses do not consistently impair performance in older adults. Rather, older drinkers demonstrate divergent, but not necessarily detrimental, patterns in neural activation and some behavioral measures relative to younger drinkers. Taken together, the epidemiological and laboratory studies reinforce the need for greater attention to key individual differences and for the conduct of systematic studies sensitive to age-related shifts in neurobiological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Jo Nixon
- University of Florida, Department of Psychiatry, Gainesville, FL, United States; University of Florida Center for Addiction Research & Education, Gainesville, FL, United States.
| | - Ben Lewis
- University of Florida, Department of Psychiatry, Gainesville, FL, United States; University of Florida Center for Addiction Research & Education, Gainesville, FL, United States
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15
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Matthews DB, Schneider A, Kastner A, Scaletty S, Szenay R. I can't drink what I used to: The interaction between ethanol and the aging brain. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2019; 148:79-99. [PMID: 31733668 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2019.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The population of most countries is increasing and the United Nations predicts that by the year 2050 those over the age of 60 years old will increase from 900 million individuals to approximately 2.1 billion individuals (United Nations, 2015). The increase in the number of older individuals will place a strain on many national health care systems making it important to investigate behaviors in the aged that may negatively impact general health in this demographic. Recent work has shown that older adults consume alcohol, often at levels that exceed the legal limit of intoxication. Unfortunately, consumption of high levels of ethanol in the older population is associated with many health consequences and may negatively impact the brain. Given ethical constraints found in many biomedical studies, animal models are needed to investigate the possible negative impact of high ethanol use in aged populations. However, few studies have investigated the effect of ethanol exposure in aged animals compared to ethanol exposure in younger animals and consequently the impact of ethanol in the aged population is not well understood. The current review summarizes initial work establishing the impact of ethanol in aged animals. The reviewed research studies support the working hypothesis that ethanol exposure produces significantly greater effects in aged animals compared to younger animals on many, if not all, behavioral tasks. In addition, the review proposes several initial, promising avenues of research to explore the neurobiological mechanisms that underly greater effects on ethanol-induced ataxia, cognition and sleep time. It is hoped that this effort will not only lead to a better understanding of behaviors impacted by ethanol in aged animals, but also improve the understanding brain mechanisms of the reported increased sensitivity to ethanol in the aged population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas B Matthews
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI, United States.
| | - Amelia Schneider
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI, United States
| | - Abigail Kastner
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI, United States
| | - Samantha Scaletty
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI, United States
| | - Rachel Szenay
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI, United States
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16
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Foscolou A, Koloverou E, Matalas AL, Tyrovolas S, Chrysohoou C, Sidossis L, Rallidis L, Panagiotakos DB. Decomposition of Mediterranean Dietary Pattern on Successful Aging, Among Older Adults: A Combined Analysis of Two Epidemiological Studies. J Aging Health 2018; 31:1549-1567. [PMID: 29938559 DOI: 10.1177/0898264318780608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the association of Mediterranean food group consumption with successful aging (SA), among people more than 50 years old. Method: Dietary habits, as well as several bio-clinical characteristics of the Greek participants enrolled in the ATTICA (n = 1,128 men and women from Athens metropolitan area) and the MEDIS (n = 2,221 men and women from selected Greek islands) cohort studies were investigated in relation to SA; SA was measured using a validated 10-scale index. Results: Multivariate discriminant food group analysis revealed that legumes consumption, followed by vegetables, cereals, and poultry were associated with higher levels of SA index (explained variability: 7.9%), mainly among islanders, but not among mainland participants. Further analysis revealed that alcohol consumption was positively associated with SA for mainlanders (ATTICA study) but inversely for islanders (MEDIS study; all p's < .05). Conclusion: The differential and hierarchical effect of various foods on SA and the diet-environmental interaction revealed in the present work may help health professionals to better understand the role of diet on SA, and to prioritize the nutritional needs of older people for better quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Foscolou
- 1 Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece
| | - Efi Koloverou
- 1 Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece
| | - Antonia-Leda Matalas
- 1 Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece
| | - Stefanos Tyrovolas
- 1 Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece.,2 Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Labros Sidossis
- 4 Department of Kinesiology and Health, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University, NJ, USA
| | - Loukianos Rallidis
- 5 Second Cardiology Clinic, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Greece
| | - Demosthenes B Panagiotakos
- 1 Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece.,6 Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Australia.,7 School of Allied Health, College of Science, Health and Engineering, LA TROBE University, Australia
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