My sister says the phrase “alcohol kills brain cells” is a myth. It stuns them when alcohol is used, but does not kill them.
Has this been scientifically proven?
Answer
Alcohol has multiple effects on the neurons or brain cells. It disrupts their action, which is responsible for the narcotic effect, and it is neurotoxic. The latter means that it kills neurons from a certain concentration and exposure period.
The neurotoxic effect (= brain cell killing effect) has been clearly proven in laboratory animal experiments and also in vitro experiments in which human neurons are cultured in the presence of alcohol.
Thus, chronic overconsumption of alcohol and “binge drinking” can cause permanent brain damage. Moreover, excessive maternal alcohol consumption has also been shown to lead to irreparable brain damage in the fetus.
Answered by
prof. Dr. Luke Bouwens
Biomedical Sciences
Pleinlaan 2 1050 Ixelles
http://www.vub.ac.be/
.