\According to new research from The University of Texas at El Paso, when it comes to alcohol and choices, men may be more susceptible than women. Using a rodent model, a study recently published in the journal Alcohol and Alcoholism showed that male rats significantly altered their decision-making under the influence, while females mostly stuck to their sober preferences.
Dr. Alexander Friedman, an assistant professor at UTEP's Department of Biological Sciences, led the research team. "Our findings demonstrate that acute alcohol consumption profoundly affects male rats’ decision-making, suggesting a gender-specific vulnerability to alcohol’s effects," said Friedman, as obtained by UTEP Newsfeed. While male rats shifted their preference to higher alcohol solutions, female rats remained loyal to their initial sober choice for sugary solutions.
This research utilized the REward-Cost in Rodent Decision-making (RECORD) system, a unique testing arena developed to simulate the environment a human might face when choosing alcoholic beverages. It's noteworthy that some of the changes in male decision-making persisted for up to two months after alcohol exposure, indicating potential long-term cognitive effects.
Robert Kirken, Ph.D., dean of UTEP's College of Science, said of the breakthrough, "We’re incredibly proud of Dr. Friedman and his team for advancing our understanding of how alcohol impacts decision-making," as per UTEP Newsfeed. This study, importantly, offers insight that could lead to more effective treatments for substance use. It could also have a say in how we view decision-making in settings where alcohol is present, such as business meetings where the stakes, and the drinks, could be high.
