Alcohol damages a woman brain’s serotonin system more rapidly than that of a man's brain

Submitted by Kavita Verma on Sat, 11/19/2011 - 06:22

Alcohol damages the serotonin system in women's brains more rapidly than that in men's brains, Swedish researchers says.

The serotonin system in brain is responsible for regulating functions like impulse control and mood.

A team of researchers from the Department of Psychology and the Sahlgrenska Academy of the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, carried out a multidisciplinary research and saw a substantial decline in the function of the serotonin system in the brains of women who were drinking alcohol for only four years.

The corresponding decrease in the serotonin system in men's brains was found with those who were consuming alcohol for 12 years.

Kristina Berglund, a representative for the research team, said that they used neuroendocrine techniques to confirm that alcohol seriously impairs the serotonin system in the brain.

Speaking on the findings, Berglund added, “It is important to note that the damage is just as serious in men and women, but the time courses are different.”

It is still to determine whether the serotonin system has the potential to repair itself or not.

The findings will be published in January 2012 edition of the journal called Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.