A recent study conducted in the United States has shed light on the brain’s remarkable ability to repair itself after prolonged alcohol use. People struggling with alcohol use disorder (AUD) often experience thinning of their cortex, a vital component of higher-order cognitive functions. The research showed that individuals who abstained from alcohol experienced a rapid increase in cortical thickness, with the most significant improvements occurring within the first month and continuing over 7.3 months. This newfound insight is crucial for addressing AUD, a major public health concern affecting approximately 16 million people in the US. While this study provides hope for those in recovery, further research is needed to understand the full extent of these changes and their impact on brain function.
Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S074183292300263X?via%3Dihub