Thus, it appears that sex steroid hormones may modulate neuronal activity and, in turn, may impact alcohol-motivated behavior. Sex hormone-induced disruption of connectivity between the amygdala and OFC may also be associated with greater alcohol use. Nonetheless, the contribution of sex steroid levels in association with alcohol-related perturbations in neural functioning is worth further investigation. Relatedly, we should continue to elucidate the complex associations between alcohol use and aging, as recent findings suggest that moderate drinking was associated with reductions in neuropsychological decline and AUD-related pathology in octogenarian men compared to rare/never drinkers but not in women (Wardzala et al., 2018).
