Abstract: The error monitoring and processing system, EMPS is
the system located in the substantia nigra of the midbrain, basal
ganglia and cortex of the forebrain, and plays a leading role in error
detection and correction. The main components of EMPS are the
dopaminergic system and anterior cingulate cortex. Although, recent
studies show that alcohol disrupts the EMPS, the ways in which
alcohol affects this system are poorly understood. Based on current
literature data, here we suggest a hypothesis of alcohol-related
glucose-dependent system of error monitoring and processing, which
holds that the disruption of the EMPS is related to the competency of
glucose homeostasis regulation, which in turn may determine the
dopamine level as a major component of EMPS. Alcohol may
indirectly disrupt the EMPS by affecting dopamine level through
disorders in blood glucose homeostasis regulation.
Abstract: There is a variety of inconsistencies in the differences
in alcohol use and related problems between male and female
genders. This study was aimed at analyzing the gender differences in
alcohol use and related problems among university students in
Minsk, Belarus. A total of 465 male (average age of 21) and 1030
female (average age of 20.5) students from four major universities in
Minsk, Belarus were administered WHO recommended standardized
screening instruments – AUDIT, MAST, CAGE questionnaire, as
well as other alcohol related questions. The male to female ratio for
the prevalence of alcohol problems according to the AUDIT was
3.34, while the ratio for alcohol users was 0.97. There are a wide
gender differences in the pattern of alcohol use and preference for
different alcoholic beverages, cause for drinking, and other alcohol
related problems like injuries and blackouts.
Abstract: There is a paucity of data on the prevalence of alcohol
use and related problems among foreign students in Belarus. We
therefore screen for the prevalence of alcohol related problems
among the general foreign students- population in Minsk, Belarus.
Participants were 135 male university foreign students (average age –
21) from three major universities in Minsk, Belarus. All respondents
were administered questionnaire, containing the AUDIT, CAGE,
MAST and other alcohol related questions. Overall, 62.2% (n=84)
alcohol users and 31.1% (n=42) problem drinkers were identified on
the AUDIT. There was a significant increase (from 39.3% to 60.7%)
of the total alcohol users after arrival in Belarus (¤ç2 = 7.714, p