A co-twin-control analysis of adolescent and young adult drinking effects on learning and memory.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Existing evidence for a link between alcohol use and memory impairments in adolescents and young adults is largely correlational. We aimed to determine whether associations between drinking and episodic memory were consistent with a causal effect of drinking or accounted for by familial factors confounding such associations. Because cannabis use is associated with a similar pattern of performance on episodic memory measures, we assessed whether any associations might be attributable to concurrent cannabis use.

Design, setting and participants

Observational study of individuals aged approximately 20-29 years, comprising two independent population-based cohorts of twins. A co-twin-control design permitted an estimate of alcohol exposure effects free of shar

SUBMITTER: Malone SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8124080 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature