The cellular functions in the hippocampus, a brain region where memory and learning are controlled, had changed when exposed to heavy intake of alcohol.
![Chronic Alcohol Consumption by Teenagers Impacts Their Memory, Cognitive Functions Chronic Alcohol Consumption by Teenagers Impacts Their Memory, Cognitive Functions](https://images.medindia.net/health-images/1200_1000/alcohol2.jpg)
The researchers periodically exposed young rodents to a level of alcohol during adolescence that, in humans, would result in impairment, but not sedation. Afterward, these animals received no further exposure to alcohol, and grew into adulthood which in rats occurred within 24 to 29 days.
Using small electrical stimuli applied to the hippocampus, a brain region where memory and learning are controlled, the researchers measured a cellular mechanism which is the strengthening of brain synapses as they are used to learn new tasks or conjure memories.
"Something happens during adolescent alcohol exposure that changes the way the hippocampus and other regions of the brain function and how the cells actually look," said Prof. Scott Swartzwelder, Senior study author, Duke University.
Source-Medindia