Volume 124 Issue 2
kansan.com
TAKING CHARGE
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Lawrence leads Manhattan in
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2011
PAGE 49
HEALTH
Brain growth slower with binge drinkers
MEG LOWRY
editor@kansan.com
Bruises, cuts, nausea and a throbbing headache are some of the physical pains caused by binge drinking.
The most severe injury, though, is one you cannot see or even feel: the trauma inflicted on your brain.
A study presented at the annual conference for the Research Society on Alcoholism last week reported that binge drinking greatly deteriorates gray and white matter in the brain.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse defines "binge drinking" as a pattern of excessive alcohol use that increases a person's blood alcohol content rapidly, and says more than half of Americans between 18 and 25 have engaged in the activity, Typically, binge drinking would be five or more drinks in a row for men and four or more in a row for women.
"Since the brain is developing in one's 20s, it could be interacting with developmental factors," Tim McQueeny, a doctoral student at the University of Cincinnati who led the study, said.
More than half of Americans between 18 and 25 years old have engaged in binge drinking.
McQueeny conducted high-resolution brain scans on weekend binge drinkers, which found significant erosion in the prefrontal cortex and in the gray matter of the brain. The greater number of drinks consumed, the higher correlation to brain-matter thinning.
combined alcohol reaches the binge level we see the effects"
"It doesn't matter what kind of drink?" McQueeny said. "When the
These effects include deterioration of the brain that control attention, planning, decision-making, thinking and transmitting messages.
Chris Nelson, a third-year law student from Kansas City, Mo., has witnessed first-hand the drinking culture on campus and the negative impact it has on student performances.
"I'd say a good rule of thumb is if you need to study to take a test on Friday, you won't be doing yourself any favors going out on a "Thursday," Nelson said.
Binge drinking affects every single organ in the human body, but because alcohol is a depressant, it directly slows the functioning of the central nervous system.
TIM MCQUEEN
leader of study, University of Cincinnati
According to Watkins Student Health Services, about twenty-five percent of college students say their drinking has negatively impacted their academic performance. Students report missing classes. fail-
exams and falling behind in coursework as a result of their drinking.
When a high-resolution brain scan of a healthy brain and a brain affected by binge drinking are placed side by side, the brain of
the binge drinker appears to be filled with holes.
Any binge drinking, even rarely, has this effect.
"So many people think of college as the only years they can really cut loose," Nelson said. "They don't grasp what their life could be like down the line."
- MIKE GUNNOE/KANSAN
Typically, binge drinking is more than five drinks in a row for men and more than four for women.
ice
THE JAY
Rentals cost 61 percent less than new print textbooks and could reduce the yearly amount spent on textbooks, according to Student PIRGs, an organization consisting of college students that looks at the rising cost of college.
"We are the non-profit store for the University," Rourke said. "Every profit that we make goes right back into student success such as the Student Union Activities (SUA) and the campus radio station,
sout tradi-
changed the
tradi-
id of: the
o that think
could use a
hat's where
want you
in them.
missions to
me and look
on about a
weather Jay
week.
"There was one student that said, It was the best idea that KU has ever had," Rourke said.
bookstore recently began offering price comparisons between its own prices, Amazon.com and Half. com.
Renting textbooks has also become a more popular option among students.
But while students can save money renting or buying online, the bookstore prides itself on being there for students even after they've bought their textbooks.
e 1904
r Gill
nfball
vitter
on 3B
KU
te
r 1 3A
GRAPHIC BY HANNAH WISE/KANSAN
CRYPTOQUIPS 4A SPORTS 1B OPINION 5A SUDOKU 4A
can "like" our
Index
Kansan.com will also be getting a new look in the coming months. To complement our print redesign, we're striving to make Kansan.com an online destination for students. We want you to check out our exclusive content, watch Web videos and daily KUJH-TV broadcasts and talk with our football and basketball writers during games in live chats hosted on the website. If you have ideas of what you'd like to see on our website, let us know.
out the day to bring news to students and alumni.
The UDK will continue to keep students and others up-to-date through our new mobile app and a stronger social media presence. You can find The University Daily Kansan's mobile app on Android and in the iTunes store. We've also re-branded our Twitter accounts to reflect our redesign and added more accounts. To stay updated on news on campus and around Lawrence, follow us at @UDK_News. For the latest on KU sports teams, follow @UDK_Sports. And to read opinion
Don't forget
Facebook page, too
Today is the first day of classes. Don't forget to go to yours or you could fail.
Though The UDK is undergoing a gamut of changes, one thing hasn't change: We're still the student voice. We're your voice. So, let us know what you think. What do you think of our redesign? What do you want to see in the paper, on TV and online? Send an email to editor@kansan.com and let us know. After all, that's why we're here.
All contents, unless stated otherwise. © 2011 The University Daily Kansan
Another change will debut on Friday, Sept. 2 before Kansas takes on McNees State at Memorial Stadium Friday papers before home football games will have an expanded sports section sponsored by the Wave, our sports magazine, and will include game predictions and analysis. The paper will be tabloid-style like Jayplay, our weekly lifestyle magazine, and don't worry, we'll still have our regular news, opinion and entertainment content.
Stroda is editor-in-chief of The University Daily Kansan. She is a senior from Salina.
Today's Weather
Forecasts done by University students. For a more detailed forecast, see page 2A.
HI: 92
LO: 71
at least it's not 100
at least it's not 100