The research, done at UNC's Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, was published in the November 3 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience.

In the new study, Bowles Center director Dr. Fulton T. Crews and research associate Dr. Kim Nixon found a marked increase in new brain cell growth within five weeks of abstinence, including a twofold burst in growth at day seven.

"We looked at dividing cells after our four-day binge model of alcohol dependency and confirmed what we previously observed: When the animals were intoxicated, the measure of dividing cells decreases," said Nixon. "And after abstinence for one week, we saw a huge burst in the number of new cells being born."

The findings may have implications for treatment of alcoholism because it opens up new avenues of therapies aimed at regeneration of brain cells.

"When animals learn, they make more neurons. When animals exercise, they make more neurons and learn faster, as well," Crews said.

"Pharmacological agents such as antidepressants and behaviors such as running, increased physical activity and learning experiences apparently help regulate the process of neurogenesis," he added. "Our research suggests they could be considered in the treatment of chronic alcohol dependency."

"This is really the first biological measure of a major change in neuronal structure consistent with changes that are known to occur when individuals are able to stop drinking," said Crews.

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