Binge Drinking, Alone or With Cannabis, During Adolescence Triggers Different Effects on Immediate Visual Memory in Men and Women

• Published in: Frontiers in psychiatry Vol. 12; p. 797221
• Main Authors: Vinader-Caerols, Concepción, Monleón, Santiago
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 16.12.2021
• Subjects: adolescents; binge drinking; cannabis; immediate visual memory; Psychiatry; sex; cannabis; binge drinking; adolescents; immediate visual memory; sex
• ISSN: 1664-0640; 1664-0640
• DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.797221

Background: This study examines the interaction between a history of binge drinking (BD), alone or with cannabis consumption, and the effects of acute alcohol exposure on immediate visual memory (IVM) (faces memory task, scenes memory task and IVM-IQ) in adolescents of both sexes. Method: Two hundred and ninety adolescents, grouped into refrainers, binge drinkers and subjects with a history of simultaneous BD/Cannabis co-use, received a risk dose of alcohol or a control drink. Results: Consumption Pattern (refrainers vs . binge drinkers vs . BD/Cannabis consumers) was not significant, while Treatment (acute alcohol vs . control drink) was significant in both sexes. Also, male binge drinkers' performance in the faces memory task was poorer than that of refrainers and BD/Cannabis consumers who consumed the control drink. BD/Cannabis consumers performed this task as capably as refrainers. In women, binge drinkers performed better than refrainers in scene memory and IVM-IQ tests when given alcohol, and binge drinkers performed worse than refrainers after consuming the control drink. Conclusions: Acute alcohol consumption worsens IVM. Cannabis exerts a buffering effect in men. A cognitive tolerance effect is observed in women. Exposure during adolescence to alcohol, alone or with cannabis, can trigger different cognitive effects in men and women that could endure into adulthood.