Binge drinking is a relatively new term in the field of alcoholism and involves short periods of excessive drinking alternating with abstinence; it is generally defined as consumption of five or more drinks (four or more in females) during a 2-hour interval (Courtney and Polich, 2009). This behavior is widely prevalent among young adults and is associated with impairments in executive, visuospatial, and other domains (Hermens et al., 2013). Understanding the correlates of binge drinking in the developing brain is instrumental to designing prevention and management protocols. Animal studies have shown more brain damage from binge drinking in adolescent compared to adult animals. Regional damage to frontal association cortex and impaired hippocampal neurogenesis are both greater in adolescent than in adult rats (Crews et al., 2000, 2006). Courtney and Polich (2009) have provided clear recommendations regarding coherent and precise definitions of binge drinking in order to pursue a proper evaluation of brain deficits.
