Drinking alcohol can speed up the development of Alzheimer’s – study
Scientists from the Wake Forest University School of Medicine believe that even a small amount of alcohol can accelerate the development of Alzheimer’s disease. The results of the study were published in Neurobiology of Disease, writes Medical Express. “The findings suggest that alcohol can accelerate the pathological cascade of Alzheimer’s disease in the early stages,” said Shannon McAuley, associate professor of physiology and pharmacology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Scientists conducted research on mice. They used a 10-week approach to chronic alcohol use where mice were given a choice to drink water or alcohol. Photo: Y-Boychenko/Depositphotos After the experiment, scientists investigated how voluntary and moderate alcohol consumption changed healthy brain function and behavior, and tested the body for pathology associated with the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. They found that alcohol increases brain atrophy (that is, cell death). But the sharp withdrawal of alcohol also has a bad effect. Then amyloid plaques from toxic proteins are formed in the body. They accumulate in Alzheimer’s disease. Chronic, even moderate, consumption of alcohol has a negative effect on brain metabolism. The researchers also found that even moderate alcohol consumption raises blood sugar and markers of insulin resistance, and can contribute to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Alcohol also affects behavior, even in moderate amounts. Mice had increased anxiety and impaired memory. “These preclinical data suggest that even moderate alcohol consumption can lead to brain injury. Alcohol consumption may be a modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia,” suggested researcher Macauley. We will remind that scientists are investigating the influence and possible causes of the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Recently, they published research that transferred viral diseases can also cause this ailment. And to diagnose this disease, scientists from the University of Washington have created a new blood test method. Read also: For the first time in 30 years: American scientists invented a new drug for Alzheimer’s disease
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