Dementia warning as common drink linked to higher Alzheimer's risk in new study

Elysia Taylor-Hearn
·3-min read
Scientists analysed hundreds of thousands of brain cells and discovered that alcohol use disorder and Alzheimer’s have a similar impact on the brain
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


New research has revealed that drinking alcohol could accelerate the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

The risks associated with alcohol consumption are well documented, with studies linking excessive drinking to higher chances of liver disease, heart disease and even cancer.

But a new study published in eNeuro journal suggests that drinking heavily could be even more dangerous than previously imagined, as Alzheimer’s and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are linked to similarly altered gene expression patterns in the brain.

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Researchers say their findings show that alcohol may encourage the development of Alzheimer’s because it provokes similar molecular processes, and ultimately cognitive decline, to the ones that are associated with the disease.

Scientists have show that excessive drinking causes genes in the brain to deteriorate in the same way as Alzheimer's
Scientists have show that excessive drinking causes genes in the brain to deteriorate in the same way as Alzheimer's

Senior author Pietro Paolo Sanna, a professor in the immunology and microbiology department at Scripps Research, explained: “We found several cell-type-specific genes and pathways that are dysregulated in both Alzheimer’s disease and alcohol, which supports the hypothesis that alcohol use disorder can accelerate Alzheimer’s disease progression by impinging on some of the same molecular mechanisms that are affected by Alzheimer’s."

The study saw scientists analyse ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing data from hundreds of thousands of individual brain cells, which were taken from 75 patients with varying stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The same process was repeated with 10 patients without Alzheimer’s, the Mirror reports.

The results showed that both AUD and Alzheimer’s are associated with similar changes to the way that genes function in the brain. These harmful adjustments include increased activation of inflammatory genes, disruptions to cell signalling and cell death processes, and changes to blood vessel cells.

Researchers analysed RNA sequencing data from hundreds of thousands of brain cells and found that both conditions changed the way that genes function in the brain in similar ways
Researchers analysed RNA sequencing data from hundreds of thousands of brain cells and found that both conditions changed the way that genes function in the brain in similar ways

Speaking of her team's findings, study author Arpita Joshi said: "It deepens our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and what the three clinically defined stages of Alzheimer’s entail, and it underscores the importance of considering alcohol use disorder as a risk factor for Alzheimer’s.”

However, researchers acknowledged that the tests must be conducted again with more patients to ensure that their findings are indisputable. They explained that when they are granted access to larger datasets on alcohol use, they will study the links between AUD and Alzheimer’s in even greater detail.

Joshi stressed: “This is a global effort to unravel complex diseases at the single-cell level, which will lead to a better understanding of the molecular and cellular perturbations in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, alcohol use disorder, and their interactions.”

Scientists hope that the study is a major step towards understanding more about the progression of Alzheimer's
Scientists hope that the study is a major step towards understanding more about the progression of Alzheimer's -Credit:Getty Images

Once researchers have decoded the links between AUD and Alzheimer’s, they ultimately hope to develop therapeutic methods to combat the cognitive decline associated with both conditions. For now though, Alzheimer's Society recommends avoiding the following factors, which can raise your risk of developing Alzheimer's:

  • High blood pressure

  • Smoking

  • Diabetes

  • Obesity

  • Lack of physical activity

  • Poor diet

  • High alcohol consumption

  • Low levels of cognitive engagement

  • Depression

  • Traumatic brain injury

  • Hearing loss

  • Social isolation

  • Air pollution

  • Age

  • Gender (women have a higher risk)

  • Genetics.

The NHS warns that there is “no completely safe level of drinking”. It advises that you should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week - the equivalent of six pints of four percent beer- and should spread this intake across three days or more.

If you are concerned about your drinking habits you should speak to your GP or visit NHS here for more information.

Join the Daily Record's WhatsApp community here and get the latest health news and insights sent straight to your messages.

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