New Drug Reduces the Side Effects of Binge Drinking

Binge drinking is the most common form of excessive alcohol consumption in the US. Many who engage in binge drinking often experience its side effects. While the effects are passed off as a "hangover," the actual side effects do more damage than one would realize. 

Research has shown that binge drinking can cause brain cell loss and inflammation which can potentially lead to brain damage in the long term. This effect can be more prominent in adolescents whose brains are not yet fully developed. A research team led by Professor Mike Page from the University of Huddersfield revealed how a new compound called ethane-beta-sultam has recently reduced the effects of binge drinking in rats, and can reduce its brain damaging effects. 

Drugs for the brain are difficult to manufacture because they need to pass through the blood-brain barrier to be effective. The blood-brain barrier is a membrane that keeps harmful chemicals from penetrating through it and getting through to the brain. Because many drugs fail at this, it is the main reason why neurological disorders are so difficult to treat. Professor Page says that ethane-beta-sultam can break through this barrier. 

During a session of binge-drinking, glial cells (which play a role in the development of the blood-brain barrier) increase, thus attempting to protect the brain from alcohol. When binge-drinking test rats were given ethane-beta-sultam when they consumed alcohol, the number of glial cells in the brain were reduced, thus allowing the drug to enter the brain and reduced the inflammation and loss of brain cells commonly associated with binge drinking. 

When tested later, the rats that received the ethane-beta-sultam had a better memory compared to rats that did not receive the compound. The effects on these rats were either reduced, or returned to normal. Alcohol abuse has risen in the US, and the team has been taking heat for creating a drug that "potentially masks the effects of binge drinking."

Ethane-beta-sultam is not limited to aiding in the effects of binge drinking. Because of its ability to get through the blood-brain barrier, it could potentially lead to new treatments for neurological disorders. 

"But if you accept that alcohol abuse is going to continue, then it might be sensible for society to try and treat it in some way," said Professor Page. I agree with him completely. Because nothing is being done about the rising abuse of alcohol across the country, having a way to help those who participate in it from having severe neurological problems is a great tool to have.


Article: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/286225.php 

Related Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141127082303.htm