In This Issue

Alcohol and the Aging Brain

There's really no way around it. Like all other organs and tissues of the human body, the brain is subject to the aging process and the typical structural and functional changes that go along with it. More...

Alcohol Policy Research at NIAAA

Alcohol policies are the statutes and regulations that govern a wide range of alcohol issues—from beverage pricing and taxation to the availability of alcohol to rules about underage drinking—and are established at the federal, state, and local levels. A large body of evidence has shown that alcohol policies can be effective in reducing alcohol misuse and related problems among youth and adults. More...

Noteworthy

NIAAA Director Receives Jellinek Award

At the 41st Annual Research Society on Alcoholism Scientific Meeting held in June, NIAAA Director George F. Koob, Ph.D., received the Jellinek Memorial Fund Award for his outstanding contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the alcohol research field.

NIAAA on the Move

In July, the NIAAA offices moved to a new location at 6700B Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892.

NIAAA@Work

Maintaining NIAAA Facilities

Bob Ward, an NIAAA Administrative Officer, serves as an Institute liaison to the National Institutes of Health Office of Research Facilities and the real estate property management companies that manage NIAAA’s office buildings.

By the Numbers

Percentage of Teens Who Drink Decreased by One-Third in Past Decade

Recent research shows progress in reducing underage drinking, a major focus at NIAAA.

Alcohol and Social Media

Social media can influence how college students view risky drinking.

News From the Field

Advanced Analytic Methods Could Provide Insight Into Mechanisms of Behavior Change

Numerous evidence-based behavioral interventions for alcohol use disorder (AUD) are available, including cognitive behavioral therapy, couples therapy, 12-step facilitation, and motivational interviewing.

Brain Training May Help People With Alcohol Use Disorder Delay Gratification

Previous research has shown that people with alcohol use disorder AUD have more difficulty with working memory tasks and in planning for the future, compared with people without AUD.

Maternal Cytokine Balance May Play Role in FASD Risk

A study done in conjunction with the NIAAA-supported Collaborative Initiative on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders reports that disruptions in levels of certain immune system molecules during pregnancy can alter the risk for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.