Excessive alcohol consumption has long been recognized as a risk factor for many health problems, but recently scientists have again paid attention to this relationship, establishing new, even more alarming results. According to a study conducted by SCRIPS Research experts, alcoholism can have a significant impact on the development of Alzheimer's disease, one of the most dangerous and fair brain diseases.
A study published in Eneuro showed that alcohol can not only harm the neurons, but also accelerate the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Scientists have drew attention to common molecular disorders that occur in the brain in alcoholism and in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. This discovery gives grounds for serious anxiety, as alcoholism can now be regarded as an important factor that affects the progression of dementia. Alzheimer's disease is a leading form of dementia and affects millions of people around the world. It is characterized by a progressive impairment of memory, thinking and other cognitive functions. It is known that the risk of developing this disease increases with age, and can be caused by a genetic predisposition. However, new studies indicate the importance of external factors, such as lifestyle. One of these factors is alcohol consumption, which has long been associated with a decrease in cognitive abilities. However, the exact mechanism of alcohol interaction with Alzheimer's disease remained completely clear. A new study reveals molecular pathways that can explain this phenomenon.
The Scrips Research team used advanced unicellular transcriptomy technology to study genetic activity in the neocortex - a brain area responsible for memory and thinking. They analyzed the brain tissues at different stages of Alzheimer's disease and compared them to people with alcoholism. As a result of the study, scientists have found similar molecular disorders in both groups. In particular, increased activity of inflammatory genes, especially in microglia cells (cells that support neurons) and vascular cells, was recorded. These changes adversely affect the synaptic alarm - the process required to communicate between neurons. Vascular dysfunction was also observed, which causes circulatory disorders in the brain, which is critical for the normal functioning of the organ.
The study also found common patterns in the expression of genes that accompany different stages of Alzheimer's disease. In the early stages of the progression of the disease, changes in genes associated with autophagy - the process of cleansing cells from damaged components were observed. In the later stages, the activity of neuro -steam and stress markers increased. Scientists suggest that excessive alcohol consumption can exacerbate these processes by accelerating the development of dementia. Dr. Arpita Joshi, a leading author of the study, noted that Alzheimer's alcohol consumption and disease have common molecular mechanisms, which suggests that alcohol can exacerbate the progression of the disease. Scientists emphasize the importance of further research to better understand how these genetic pathways affect the brain and human behavior, as well as what therapeutic interventions can help reduce the risks associated with alcoholism. Given these new discoveries, scientists also emphasize the need for campaigns to raise awareness of the danger of alcoholism and its impact on brain health
This study opens up new opportunities for the development of purposeful treatment interventions aimed at certain molecular pathways associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease. Scientists hope that their future research will help to find effective treatments and prevention of the disease, in particular with the use of medicines that affect specific molecular processes.
