Startling Sensitivity Linked to Binge Drinking in Young Adults
A neuroimaging study involving young adults found that those with a stronger startle reaction to unpredictable threats were more likely to engage in binge drinking a year later. The study revealed increased reactivity in specific brain regions when faced with uncertain threats, which correlated with a higher likelihood of binge drinking. The findings suggest that exaggerated reactivity to uncertain threats may be a brain-based risk factor for problem drinking. However, the study had limitations, including a primarily female sample and a limited follow-up period.