A new Scripps Research study highlights the link between heavy alcohol use and the acceleration of Alzheimer’s disease.

Summary

Excessive alcohol use may accelerate the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study from Scripps Research.

The findings suggest that inflammation, a common link between alcohol use disorder and Alzheimer’s, may play a role in this acceleration.

Limiting alcohol use is a controllable factor that could help reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

  • abbadon420English
    21·
    9 hours ago

    I learned this is high-school. What’s new about this study? Could we not look at single cells in brains before?

    • paraphrand@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      6 hours ago

      Sanna said while more research is needed, these findings open the door for potential treatments targeting the pathways involved in both alcohol use disorder and Alzheimer’s.

      The research is promising, said Heather Snyder, who oversees medical and scientific operations at the Alzheimer’s Association, and was not involved in the study.

      She said this study took advantage of emerging technology that allows researchers to look at individual cells in the brain.

      “I think that’s an exciting avenue of research that may then really expand the potential utility of different interventions or different therapies as they develop,” she said.

      The study’s findings aren’t surprising to Kristen Romea, who directs supportive services at Alzheimer’s San Diego.

      “It just further reinforces the things that we’re already teaching about diet and exercise. We also educate families on how substances like alcohol impact people differently as they age,” Romea said.

      1. more research is needed
      2. new Brain imaging is new
      3. yes, you learned about this in the past. That’s good.

      You should have read past the headline.

      • abbadon420English
        14·
        6 hours ago

        Thanks, this answers none of my questions.

        Here’s some random research from 2016 strongly suggesting that heavy alcohol usage increases alzheimer symptoms. Not the best paper,but it’s the first I found.

        So, since alcohol has been known to increase alzheimer symptoms since at least 2016, I was wondering what’s new here? Is it only the individual cell research? Because that’s just an applied technique, isn’t it?

        • paraphrand@lemmy.worldEnglish
          2·
          6 hours ago

          Fair enough, I guess. But your comment comes off as a cliched “we needed a study for that? Everyone knows that.” Reddit comment.

          That riled me to post my response.