Young men who drink are more likely to be violent, commit suicide or suffer mental health problems, it was warned today.
Professor Ian Robertson, the Dean of Research at the Institute of Neuroscience and School of Psychology at Trinity College, said the brains of young men were more vulnerable to the effects of alcohol as they are not fully developed until their early 20s.
Professor Robertson is researching the effects of alcohol on the brains of young men, particularly the frontal lobe, which is the last part to develop. "Development does not complete until their early to mid — 20s.
The frontal lobe is the part of the brain that we rely on for forethought, to consider the consequences of our actions, and it also plays a significant role in controlling our emotions.
Younger men are more likely to be impulsive, which is a natural characteristic of youth, and less likely to think of long term consequences," the professor, who is addressing the fifth Population Health Summer School in Cork this weekend, said.
The professor warned the frontal lobe was particularly affected by alcohol which inhibits its natural functions. "Consequently, excessive intake of alcohol can produce a 'double whammy' effect on an individual, leading to violent and reckless behaviour.
This doubled up impact on the brain's natural inhibitor and emotional regulator can be linked to instances of suicide in young men," Professor Robertson said.
Ahead of the summer school taking place in University College Cork, he warned there can be a long-term risk to the development of the frontal lobe and the brain's memory centres. "By stopping or seriously reducing heavy drinking, brain tissue can regenerate and recover.
However, once a person is over the age of 40 years, the body's ability to do this slows down. Excessive drinking weakens the brain, and therefore exposes heavy drinkers to the risk of mental illness and dementia in later life, as anything that weakens the brain will compromise its long term health," he said.