On Nov. 5, 2024, Scripps research scientists reported they have shown that Alzheimer’s and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are associated with similarly altered gene expression patterns in the brain, supporting the idea that alcohol use may promote Alzheimer’s disease progression.

The researchers showed that both AUD and Alzheimer’s are associated with similar gene expression changes in the brain, including upregulation of inflammatory genes and pathways, disruption to cell signaling and cell-death-related pathways, and changes to blood vessel cells.

Nearly 7 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, and this number is predicted to double by 2060. While aging and genetic predisposition are the most important risk factors for Alzheimer’s, epidemiological studies suggest that lifestyle factors including alcohol use could also impact disease onset and progression. The study published in eNeuro could inform future preventative and treatment strategies.