New drug could reduce the consequences of binge-drinking

Researchers are excited about a new drug that could prevent brain cell damage during an alcoholic binge. - AFP

It can’t take back those drunken phone calls or erase your friends’ memory of what you might have said, but a chemical compound could preserve your brain cells during a night out.

Binge-drinking, defined by the National Institutes of Health as drinking five or more drinks at a time for men and four or more for women, is well known to be potentially damaging. It has also been defined as consuming large quantities of alcohol over a short period of time simply to get drunk.