A study that scanned the brains of binge drinkers ages 18 to 25 shows that regularly having many drinks in one sitting can affect an area of the brain related to paying attention, making decisions and controlling impulses.

The study of 29 weekend binge drinkers found that women who had four or more drinks in one sitting and men who have five or more drinks showed a thinning of the pre-frontal cortex, Science Daily reports. The findings were presented at the Research Society on Alcoholism meeting in Atlanta.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in 2009, young adults ages 18 to 25 had the highest rates of binge drinking (41.7 percent) and heavy alcohol use (13.7 percent) of any age group.