Massachusetts Study Links Abstinence to Brain Changes
Researchers at UMass Chan Medical School found that alcohol abstinence was followed by changes in the brain’s bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, or BNST, in mice. Some abstinent mice later showed compulsive-like drinking, consuming alcohol despite an increasingly bitter taste. Their BNST activity was more than twice that of mice without forced abstinence. In the U.S., more than 80% of people aged 12 and older consume alcohol at some point, while about 10% develop alcohol use disorder. Researchers say further studies are needed to determine whether similar brain activity could help predict relapse risk in people. Disclosure: This video contains stock footage and content created or enhanced using Al-assisted tools. ai-generated WooGlobe Ref : WGA355933
