Editorials Address Need for More Research, Restrictions Against Alcohol Industry

Alcohol companies are sending out the wrong message, say experts, and it’s time to stop. Tobacco receives worldwide attention for detrimental effects on health, and its marketing approach toward teens is closely monitored. Products from major pharmaceutical companies are the subject of numerous research studies geared toward how the public views the medications and uses them. Now experts are calling for the...

Australian Government Criticized for Removing Alcohol Tax Reform from Agenda

Australia’s federal government has been criticized for taking alcohol tax reform off the agenda despite community concern about the impact of alcohol-fueled violence. The AAP reports that the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation said the decision to overlook the Henry review’s recommendation for tax reform ignored the enormous social and economic cost posed by alcohol abuse. Foundation...

Sports Stars Influence Drinking Behavior Only When Used as Marketing Tools for Alcohol Industry

Surprisingly, the drunken behavior of some of our sporting heroes (which is routinely reported in the media) has little or no effect on the drinking habits of young people, new research has found. However, previous research suggests that sports and sports stars are much more likely to influence the drinking behavior of fans when used as marketing tools by the alcohol industry, such as through sponsorship...

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Linked to Epilepsy

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) refers to a range of negative developmental outcomes that result from maternal drinking during pregnancy. Children with FASD can suffer from many problems, including epilepsy, a disorder characterized by spontaneous recurrence of unprovoked seizures that affects 0.6 percent of the general population. A new study has found a much higher prevalence of epilepsy or history of...

Examining Alcohol Use Disorders through Gene Networks

Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are influenced by multiple genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors, making it difficult to find individual genetic markers to help identify those at risk of developing AUDs. A new study examined how a person’s level of response (LR) to alcohol, which is closely linked to the development of AUDs, is related to "gene sets" rather than individual genes. Findings show...