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Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental... Oct 2022Front-loading is a drinking pattern in which alcohol intake is skewed toward the onset of reward access. This phenomenon has been reported across several different... (Review)
Review
Front-loading is a drinking pattern in which alcohol intake is skewed toward the onset of reward access. This phenomenon has been reported across several different alcohol self-administration protocols in a wide variety of species, including humans. The hypothesis of the current review is that front-loading emerges in response to the rewarding effects of alcohol and can be used to measure the motivation to consume alcohol. Alternative or additional hypotheses that we consider and contrast with the main hypothesis are that: (1) front-loading is directed at overcoming behavioral and/or metabolic tolerance and (2) front-loading is driven by negative reinforcement. Evidence for each of these explanations is reviewed. We also consider how front-loading has been evaluated statistically in previous research and make recommendations for defining this intake pattern in future studies. Because front-loading may predict long-term maladaptive alcohol drinking patterns leading to the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD), several future directions are proposed to elucidate the relationship between front-loading and AUD.
Topics: Humans; Reward; Alcohol Drinking; Alcoholism; Ethanol; Motivation
PubMed: 36239713
DOI: 10.1111/acer.14924 -
Addiction (Abingdon, England) Nov 2022Transdermal alcohol sensors carry immense promise for the continuous assessment of drinking but are inconsistent in detecting more fine-grained indicators of alcohol... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Transdermal alcohol sensors carry immense promise for the continuous assessment of drinking but are inconsistent in detecting more fine-grained indicators of alcohol consumption. Prior studies examining associations between transdermal alcohol concentration (TAC) and blood/breath alcohol concentration (BAC) have yielded highly variable correlations and lag times. The current review aimed to synthesize transdermal validation studies, aggregating results from more than three decades of research to characterize the validity of transdermal sensors for assessing alcohol consumption.
METHODS
Databases were searched for studies listed prior to 1 March 2022 that examined associations between transdermal alcohol sensor output and blood and breath-based alcohol measures, resulting in 31 primarily laboratory-derived participant samples (27 precise effect sizes) including both healthy and clinical populations. Correlation coefficients and lag times were pooled using three-level random-effects meta-regression. Independent raters coded study characteristics, including the body position of transdermal sensors (ankle- versus arm/hand/wrist-worn device) and methodological bias (e.g. missing data).
RESULTS
Analyses revealed that, in this primarily laboratory-derived sample of studies, the average correlation between TAC and BAC was large in magnitude [r = 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.80, 0.93], and TAC lagged behind BAC by an average of 95.90 minutes (95% CI = 55.50, 136.29). Device body position significantly moderated both TAC-BAC correlation (b = 0.11, P = 0.009) and lag time (b = -69.41, P < 0.001). Lag times for ankle-worn devices were approximately double those for arm/hand/wrist-worn devices, and TAC-BAC correlations also tended to be stronger for arm/hand/wrist-worn sensors.
CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis indicates that transdermal alcohol sensors perform strongly in assessing blood/breath alcohol concentration under controlled conditions, with particular promise for the newer generation of wrist-worn devices.
Topics: Alcohol Drinking; Biosensing Techniques; Blood Alcohol Content; Breath Tests; Ethanol; Humans
PubMed: 35603913
DOI: 10.1111/add.15953 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jan 2024Accurate determination of the concentration of alcohols and their metabolites is important in forensics and in several life science areas. A new headspace gas...
Accurate determination of the concentration of alcohols and their metabolites is important in forensics and in several life science areas. A new headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method has been developed to quantify alcohols and their oxidative products using isotope-labeled internal standards. The limit of detection (LOD) of the analytes in the developed method was 0.211 µg/mL for methanol, 0.158 µg/mL for ethanol, 0.157 µg/mL for isopropanol, 0.010 µg/mL for n-propanol, 0.157 µg/mL for acetone, and 0.209 µg/mL for acetaldehyde. The precision and accuracy of the method were evaluated, and the relative standard deviation percentages were found to be less than 3%. This work demonstrates the application of this method, specifically in quantifying the concentration of oxidative products of alcohol and other minor alcohols found in hand sanitizers, which have become an essential household item since the COVID-19 pandemic. Apart from the major components, the minor alcohols found in hand sanitizers include methanol, isopropanol, and n-propanol. The concentration range of these minor alcohols found in ethanol-based hand sanitizer samples was as follows: methanol, 0.000921-0.0151 mg/mL; isopropanol, 0.454-13.8 mg/mL; and n-propanol, 0.00474-0.152 mg/mL. In ethanol-based hand sanitizers, a significant amount of acetaldehyde (0.00623-0.231 mg/mL) was observed as an oxidation product, while in the isopropanol-based hand sanitizer, acetone (0.697 mg/mL) was observed as an oxidation product. The concentration of acetaldehyde in ethanol-based hand sanitizers significantly increased with storage time and temperature, whereas no such increase in acetone concentration was observed in isopropanol-based hand sanitizers with storage time and temperature. In two of the selected hand sanitizers, the acetaldehyde levels increased by almost 200% within a week when stored at room temperature. Additionally, exposing the hand sanitizers to a temperature of 45 °C for 24 h resulted in a 100% increase in acetaldehyde concentration. On the contrary, the acetone level remained constant upon the change in storage time and temperature.
Topics: Humans; Methanol; Acetaldehyde; Hand Sanitizers; Acetone; 2-Propanol; 1-Propanol; Temperature; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Pandemics; Ethanol
PubMed: 38248538
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21010074 -
Alcohol Health and Research World 1998Many women take supplemental estrogens after menopause, a practice called hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Moderate alcohol consumption may increase estrogen levels in... (Review)
Review
Many women take supplemental estrogens after menopause, a practice called hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Moderate alcohol consumption may increase estrogen levels in women receiving HRT, potentially affecting their risk for various adverse health effects. Two recent studies, however, provide no strong evidence for an effect of alcohol on hormones in postmenopausal women. The possible association between alcohol consumption and risk of cancer of the breast does not appear to be mediated by estrogens. Both estrogens and moderate alcohol consumption have been associated with a decreased risk for cardiovascular disease; however, alcohol's beneficial effect on heart disease does not appear to involve hormonal mechanisms. Additional research is needed to define the consequences of moderate drinking on hormone levels after menopause.
Topics: Alcohol Drinking; Ethanol; Female; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Postmenopause
PubMed: 15706794
DOI: No ID Found -
Alcohol Research & Health : the Journal... 1999Women appear to become more impaired than men after drinking equivalent amounts of alcohol, achieving higher blood alcohol concentrations even when doses are adjusted... (Review)
Review
Women appear to become more impaired than men after drinking equivalent amounts of alcohol, achieving higher blood alcohol concentrations even when doses are adjusted for body weight. This finding may be attributable in part to gender differences in total body water content. Men and women appear to eliminate approximately the same total amount of alcohol per unit body weight per hour. However, women seem to eliminate significantly more alcohol per unit of lean body mass per hour than men. Some studies report that women are more susceptible than men to alcohol-related impairment of cognitive performance, especially in tasks involving delayed memory or divided attention functions. Psychomotor performance impairment, however, does not appear to be affected by gender. This article provides an overview of alcohol metabolism (pharmacokinetics) and reviews recent studies on gender differences in alcohol absorption, distribution, elimination, and impairment. Speculation that gender differences in alcohol pharmacokinetics or alcohol-induced performance impairment may be caused by the menstrual cycle and variations in female sex hormones are discussed. It is concluded that the menstrual cycle is unlikely to influence alcohol pharmacokinetics.
Topics: Alcohol Drinking; Ethanol; Female; Humans; Male; Psychomotor Performance; Sex Factors
PubMed: 10890798
DOI: No ID Found -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) May 2019Transdermal alcohol biosensors have the ability to detect the alcohol that emanates from the bloodstream and diffuses through the skin. However, previous biosensors have...
Transdermal alcohol biosensors have the ability to detect the alcohol that emanates from the bloodstream and diffuses through the skin. However, previous biosensors have suffered from long-term fouling of the sensor element and drift in the resulting sensor readings over time. Here, we report a wearable alcohol sensor platform that solves the problem of sensor fouling by enabling drift-free signals in vivo for up to 24 h and an interchangeable cartridge connection that enables consecutive days of measurement. We demonstrate how alcohol oxidase enzyme and Prussian Blue can be combined to prevent baseline drift above 25 nA, enabling sensitive detection of transdermal alcohol. Laboratory characterization of the enzymatic alcohol sensor demonstrates that the sensor is mass-transfer-limited by a diffusion-limiting membrane of lower permeability than human skin and a linear sensor range between 0 mM and 50 mM. Further, we show continuous transdermal alcohol data recorded with a human subject for two consecutive days. The non-invasive sensor presented here is an objective alternative to the self-reports used commonly to quantify alcohol consumption in research studies.
Topics: Alcohol Oxidoreductases; Alcohols; Biosensing Techniques; Ethanol; Ferrocyanides; Humans; Wearable Electronic Devices
PubMed: 31137611
DOI: 10.3390/s19102380 -
Alcohol Health and Research World 1997Serotonin is an important brain chemical that acts as a neurotransmitter to communicate information among nerve cells. Serotonin's actions have been linked to alcohol's... (Review)
Review
Serotonin is an important brain chemical that acts as a neurotransmitter to communicate information among nerve cells. Serotonin's actions have been linked to alcohol's effects on the brain and to alcohol abuse. Alcoholics and experimental animals that consume large quantities of alcohol show evidence of differences in brain serotonin levels compared with nonalcoholics. Both short- and long-term alcohol exposure also affect the serotonin receptors that convert the chemical signal produced by serotonin into functional changes in the signal-receiving cell. Drugs that act on these receptors alter alcohol consumption in both humans and animals. Serotonin, along with other neurotransmitters, also may contribute to alcohol's intoxicating and re. warding effects, and abnormalities in the brain's serotonin system appear to play an important role in the brain processes underlying alcohol abuse.
Topics: Alcohol Drinking; Animals; Brain; Ethanol; Humans; Serotonin
PubMed: 15704346
DOI: No ID Found -
Alcohol Research & Health : the Journal... 2001Detecting alcohol use among pregnant women is an important step toward preventing alcohol-related birth defects. A biomarker that could detect alcohol use during... (Review)
Review
Detecting alcohol use among pregnant women is an important step toward preventing alcohol-related birth defects. A biomarker that could detect alcohol use during pregnancy would aid in earlier identification and intervention for affected infants. The existing potential biomarkers for identifying alcohol use during pregnancy can detect varying degrees of alcohol exposure, or use. However, further research is needed to evaluate these biomarkers.
Topics: Alcohol Drinking; Biomarkers; Ethanol; Ethics, Medical; Female; Humans; Pregnancy
PubMed: 11810960
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs May 2021The goal of this study was to determine whether the acute analgesic effects of alcohol intake are moderated by acute alcohol tolerance, characterized by differing...
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to determine whether the acute analgesic effects of alcohol intake are moderated by acute alcohol tolerance, characterized by differing subjective and neurobehavioral effects of a given blood alcohol concentration (BAC) depending on whether BAC is rising or falling.
METHOD
Twenty-nine healthy drinkers (20 women) completed two laboratory sessions in which they consumed a study beverage: active alcohol (target BAC= .08 g/dl) and placebo. Acute alcohol tolerance was assessed by examining the main and interactive effects of beverage condition and assessment limb (ascending vs. descending) on quantitative sensory testing measures collected using slowly ramping heat stimuli and perceived relief ratings at comparable breath alcohol concentrations on the ascending and descending limbs.
RESULTS
BAC limb moderated the effect of condition on pain threshold, such that the threshold was significantly elevated in the alcohol condition on the ascending limb. The alcohol condition produced greater ratings of perceived pain relief than the placebo condition, and pain relief ratings were greater on the ascending versus descending limb of the BAC curve. Alcohol intake did not significantly affect pain tolerance or aftersensation ratings on either BAC limb.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides initial experimental evidence that alcohol's analgesic and pain-relieving effects are subject to acute tolerance following acute alcohol intake. These findings suggest that self-medicating pain via alcohol intake may be associated with high-risk drinking topography, increasing the risk for alcohol-related consequences. Further research is needed to determine if these effects extend to the context of clinical and chronic pain.
Topics: Female; Humans; Alcohol Drinking; Blood Alcohol Content; Breath Tests; Ethanol
PubMed: 34100711
DOI: 10.15288/jsad.2021.82.422 -
Sub-cellular Biochemistry 2013Ethanol consumption has effects on the central nervous system (CNS), manifesting as motor incoordination, sleep induction (hypnosis), anxiety, amnesia, and the... (Review)
Review
Ethanol consumption has effects on the central nervous system (CNS), manifesting as motor incoordination, sleep induction (hypnosis), anxiety, amnesia, and the reinforcement or aversion of alcohol consumption. Acetaldehyde (the direct metabolite of ethanol oxidation) contributes to many aspects of the behavioral effects of ethanol. Given acetaldehyde cannot pass through the blood brain barrier, its concentration in the CNS is primarily determined by local production from ethanol. Catalase and cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) represent the major enzymes in the CNS that catalyze ethanol oxidation. CYP2E1 is expressed abundantly within the microsomes of certain brain cells and is localized to particular brain regions. This chapter focuses on the discussion of CYP2E1 in ethanol metabolism in the CNS, covering topics including how it is regulated, where it is expressed and how it influences sensitivity to ethanol in the brain.
Topics: Animals; Central Nervous System; Central Nervous System Depressants; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1; Ethanol; Humans
PubMed: 23400924
DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-5881-0_8