How alcohol use affects Alzheimer's disease
Identifying the relationship between alcohol and Alzheimer's Disease
Researchers are testing whether a history of heavy alcohol use makes Alzheimer's start sooner and worse, and whether the drug memantine can reverse those effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Purdue University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Lafayette, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11131105 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses Alzheimer's model mice that have a history of alcohol dependence to study changes in memory, brain plaques, and brain network connections. Scientists will compare mice with and without alcohol exposure to see if drinking history speeds up cognitive decline and increases amyloid deposits. The team will also give chronic memantine to some mice to see if it can improve behavior and reduce brain pathology. Results could point to ways to prevent or treat alcohol-related worsening of Alzheimer's in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with a history of heavy alcohol use or alcohol dependence, especially older adults concerned about Alzheimer's risk, are the human group most relevant to these findings.
Not a fit: Because the experiments are done in mice, there is no direct clinical benefit to patients from participating in this research now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could support strategies to reduce alcohol-related risk for Alzheimer's and suggest memantine as a treatment approach to lessen alcohol-related brain damage.
How similar studies have performed: Prior human and animal studies have shown mixed links between alcohol and Alzheimer's, and memantine is an approved Alzheimer's drug but using it specifically to reverse alcohol-related effects is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
West Lafayette, United States
- Purdue University — West Lafayette, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kimbrough, Adam J — Purdue University
- Study coordinator: Kimbrough, Adam J
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.