A new study conducted by scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill suggests that there is a burst in new brain cell development during abstinence from chronic alcohol consumption.

The findings were based on an animal model of chronic alcohol dependence, in which adult rats were given alcohol over four days in amounts that produced alcohol dependency.

"When used in excess, alcohol damages brain structure and function. Alcoholics have impairments in the ability to reason, plan or remember. A variety of psychological tests show alcoholics have a difficulty in ability to understand negative consequences," Fulton T Crews, who was the lead researcher, was quoted as saying.