title: Binge drinking in young adults: Data, definitions, and determinants.
abstract: Binge drinking is an increasingly important topic in alcohol research, but the field lacks empirical cohesion and definitional precision. The present review summarizes findings and viewpoints from the scientific binge-drinking literature. Epidemiological studies quantify the seriousness of alcohol-related problems arising from binge drinking, with a growing incidence reported in college-age men over the last 2 years. Experimental studies have found neurocognitive deficits for frontal lobe processing and working memory operations in binge-drinking compared with nonbinge alcohol drinkers. The findings are organized with the goals of providing a useful binge-drinking definition in the context of the empirical results. Theoretical implications are discussed on how binge drinking may alter neurophysiological and neurocognitive function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Kelly E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Courtney
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Polich
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000187:drug effects; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol