Effects of Alcohol Use on Brain and Epigenetic Age in Adult Children of Alcoholics
Author Information
Author(s): Jamie L. Scholl, Kami Pearson, Kelene A. Fercho, Austin J. Van Asselt, Noah A. Kallsen, Erik A. Ehli, Kari N. Potter, Kathleen A. Brown-Rice, Gina L. Forster, Lee A. Baugh
Primary Institution: Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota
Hypothesis
Vulnerable adult children of alcoholics (ACoAs) will have a higher predicted brain age difference than control participants and resilient ACoAs.
Conclusion
Hazardous ACoAs have decreased brain age compared to controls, while also showing increased epigenetic age.
Supporting Evidence
- ACoAs with hazardous alcohol use had lower predicted brain ages than healthy controls.
- Hazardous ACoAs showed increased epigenetic age compared to controls.
- Structural brain differences were observed in specific regions associated with alcohol use.
- Participants were compensated for their time and provided informed consent.
- Machine learning algorithms were used to predict biological brain and DNA methylation ages.
Takeaway
This study found that adult children of parents with alcohol problems have younger-looking brains but older biological ages if they drink heavily.
Methodology
Participants were divided into hazardous and non-hazardous alcohol use groups, compared to healthy controls, using MRI and DNA methylation analysis.
Potential Biases
Potential biases due to self-reported alcohol use and the homogeneity of the sample.
Limitations
Small sample size and cross-sectional design limit the ability to draw causal conclusions.
Participant Demographics
Mean age of participants was 21 years, with 95% Caucasian and a higher percentage of females in both ACoA groups.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.040
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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