A recent study from Scripps Research has revealed a significant relationship between alzheimer’s disease And alcohol use disordersuggesting this binge drinking The progression of this devastating neurodegenerative disease may be accelerated. Published in eNeuro, the findings explain shared disruptions in inflammation and cell-death pathways in the brain, providing valuable insight into the molecular relationship between these two conditions.

Increasing impact of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease, the leading cause of dementiaAffects approximately 7 million Americans, a number expected to double by 2060. While aging and genetics are major contributors to the disease, lifestyle factors, such as alcohol consumption, are believed to be important in both the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s.

While heavy drinking has long been linked to cognitive decline, this new study delves deeper into its biological mechanisms. Researchers suggest that alcohol use disorders and Alzheimer’s may involve similar molecular disruptions, providing potential new insight into the interplay between these two conditions.

study findings

The team of researchers led by Dr. Arpita Joshi analyzed gene expression patterns in the brains of individuals at different stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Using advanced techniques such as single-cell transcriptomics, they focused on the neocortex – an area of ​​the brain that is essential for memory and reasoning.

The study involved brain samples from 75 people with Alzheimer’s, which were compared with a smaller dataset of people with alcohol use disorders. The goal was to identify overlapping genetic pathways that could explain the similarities between the two conditions. The researchers revealed several key findings:

– Inflammation and immune response: Increased activity in inflammatory genes was observed in both Alzheimer’s disease and alcohol use disorder, particularly in microglia (immune cells of the brain) and vascular cells. This inflammation can disrupt the blood-brain barrier, allowing harmful substances to have negative effects. brain function,

– Neurological impairment: Both conditions were associated with a reduction in gene activity related to synaptic signaling, which is important for communication between brain cells. This impairment was particularly pronounced in the later stages of Alzheimer’s and in people with alcohol dependence.

– vascular disease: The researchers observed disruption in genes related to blood vessel growth and maintenance, suggesting shared damage to the brain’s vascular system.

– Stage-specific changes: In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, the brain exhibits changes in autophagy – a process that helps clear damaged cellular components. As the disease progressed, inflammation, cell death, and disruptions in brain signaling became more prominent.

role of alcohol

The overlap between the two conditions points to alcohol use disorder as a potential risk factor for accelerating the progression of Alzheimer’s. Alcohol appears to exacerbate some of the molecular disruptions seen in Alzheimer’s, particularly in genes related to inflammation and neuron function.

“Alcohol use disorder and Alzheimer’s disease have important similarities in terms of the dysregulations they cause, suggesting a potentially serious impact of alcohol use disorder on the progression of Alzheimer’s disease,” Dr. Joshi said.

why does it matter

Understanding these shared pathways provides new opportunities for prevention and treatment. If alcohol use contributes to accelerating the progression of Alzheimer’s, reducing alcohol consumption may be a modifiable factor in reducing the risk of developing or worsening the disease.

The study also underlines the importance of brain health When choosing lifestyle. Although moderate alcohol consumption may not pose significant risks, excessive or prolonged drinking can have lasting negative effects on cognitive health.

Limitations and future research

Although the study provides unique insights, it had some limitations, particularly the small dataset for alcohol use disorder. Further research with larger and more diverse populations is needed to confirm these findings and explore how the molecular changes observed in the study translate into brain function and behavior.

Dr. Joshi and his team are already working on expanding the alcohol use disorder dataset to better understand how alcohol affects the brain and its potential connection to Alzheimer’s.

Get the latest news live on Times Now with breaking news and top headlines from around the world.