Exploring the Neurological Mechanisms of Chronic Alcohol Use and Exercise as an Intervention

Long-term, heavy alcohol consumption can lead to significant changes in brain structure and function. This research was conducted using an established preclinical model that mirrors many aspects of human brain function.

In ARH Ian Scott PhD Scholarship recipient Annai Charlton’s research, rats were given access to alcohol over several months. After this period, they participated in a learning task in which they could earn a small sugar reward by selecting the correct option. Once they had learned the initial rules, the task was modified, requiring them to detect the change and adjust their behavior to continue earning rewards. This ability, known as cognitive flexibility, reflects the capacity to adapt thinking in response to changing circumstances.

The subjects that had consumed high levels of alcohol showed marked impairments in this task, making more errors and being slower to learn the new rules, indicating reduced cognitive flexibility. These findings mirror what can occur in humans with long-term heavy alcohol use, where difficulties in thinking, planning, and decision-making make it challenging to stop drinking, even when motivation is strong.

By examining the frontal region of the brain-a critical area for cognitive flexibility-it was found that alcohol-exposed subjects had a reduced number of brain cells, suggesting that prolonged heavy alcohol consumption can damage regions essential for clear thinking and adaptive behavior. After alcohol exposure ceased, several weeks were allowed for recovery, with some provided with running wheels to allow voluntary exercise. While exercise did not appear to enhance recovery in this study, abstaining from alcohol enabled the brain to begin the process of healing.

This study represents a world-first demonstration of recovery from cognitive deficits using a chronic voluntary model of alcohol intake, bringing researchers a step closer to developing practical interventions to improve rehabilitation outcomes. Even moderate levels of alcohol consumption were sufficient to cause significant cognitive decline and loss of brain cells. Given the scale and burden of alcohol use disorder in Australia, these findings have the potential to significantly impact public health, reduce healthcare costs, and benefit society more broadly.

Media contact: [email protected]       First published 24th November 2025

Graphic acknowledgement: FreePik.com