Chronic alcohol use is linked to impaired plasticity of brain inhibition networks, study suggests
In new research published in Psychological Medicine, a team of scientists explored the effects of cortical paired associative stimulation, a form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), on enhancing the brain’s ability to resist alcohol-related impulses. Their findings revealed that while cPAS effectively strengthened the brain networks responsible for inhibiting responses in healthy adults, individuals with chronic alcohol use did not exhibit the same improvements. This suggests a unique brain response among those with alcohol use disorder, potentially tied to long-standing alterations in brain function due to alcohol consumption. Cortical paired associative stimulation (cPAS) represents a pioneering approach in the field of neuromodulation. The essence of cPAS lies in its ability to deliver paired magnetic pulses to specific regions of the cortex, aiming to strengthen neuronal connections. This targeted stimulation seeks to enhance or restore the functional integrity of neural networks, particularly those implicated in cognitive processes such as impulse control. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health …