RESUMO
AIMS: The aim of the study was to analyze independent and potential interactive effects of age at drinking onset and family history of alcohol abuse on subsequent patterns of alcohol drinking, alcohol-related problems and substance use. METHODS: Participants were college students (60.3% females, mean age = 20.27 ± 2.54 years) from the city of Córdoba, Argentina. Several measures were used to assess alcohol, tobacco and drug use. The Spanish version of the Brief Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire was used to assess alcohol-related problems. Factorial analyses of variance, or its non-parametric equivalent, were performed to explore differences in substance use behaviors and alcohol-related problems in subjects with early or late drinking onset and with or without family history of alcohol abuse. Chi-square tests were conducted to analyze the association between these two risk factors and categorical measures of alcohol, tobacco and drug use. RESULTS: Early onset of drinking was associated with amount of consumption of alcohol including up to hazardous levels, as well as tobacco and drug use. However, the frequency of alcohol problems and frequency of episodes of alcohol intoxication were only related to age of onset in those with a positive family history of alcohol problems. CONCLUSION: Delaying drinking debut is particularly important in the prevention of future alcohol problems in those adolescents who have a family history of such problems.
Assuntos
Consumo de Bebidas Alcoólicas/genética , Consumo de Bebidas Alcoólicas/psicologia , Saúde da Família , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/genética , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/psicologia , Adolescente , Fatores Etários , Idade de Início , Consumo de Bebidas Alcoólicas/epidemiologia , Intoxicação Alcoólica/epidemiologia , Intoxicação Alcoólica/genética , Intoxicação Alcoólica/psicologia , Antecipação Psicológica , Argentina/epidemiologia , Atitude Frente a Saúde , Feminino , Humanos , Comportamento Impulsivo/epidemiologia , Comportamento Impulsivo/genética , Comportamento Impulsivo/psicologia , Masculino , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/epidemiologia , Inquéritos e Questionários , Universidades , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Fluorescent probes were used to compare the physical properties of membranes from mice selected for sensitivity (LS) and insensitivity (SS) to the hypnotic action of ethanol. Brain synaptic plasma membranes (SPM) from LS mice were more sensitive to the disordering action of ethanol than those from LS mice when probes were located near the membrane surface. However, the membrane core of membranes from the two lines was equally sensitive to ethanol. The genetic differences in ethanol sensitivity of the membrane surface were eliminated when fluorescence measurements were carried out in the presence of 2-3 mM CaCl2. Consistent with behavioral data, differential genetic sensitivity to the disordering action was not obtained with longer chain alcohols. The genetic difference in ethanol sensitivity was not detected with erythrocyte membranes or lipids extracted from SPM. These results indicate that there is a structural difference in the surface of brain membranes of LS and SS mice than may influence their sensitivity to ethanol.