Does the consumption of alcohol, and furthermore the abuse of alcohol, lead to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's? A study by Jessica Hoffman found that the presence of a protein, TARP γ-8, decreased the motivation for consuming alcohol. That, combined with another protein, JNJ-55511118, reduced not only the appetite for alcohol but also lowered the chance of dependence. The protein TARP γ-8 binds to glutamate receptors, which are also the same neurotransmitter that alcohol binds to.
Under the use of alcohol, glutamate tends to be produced at higher rates in order to compensate for the lack of glutamate reuptake. So, in instances of alcohol abuse, there is an increase in glutamate in the brain, and if alcohol ingestion is stopped, then there is, in turn, too much glutamate and absorption in the brain. Nathan James Stoner compares how the type of alcohol consumption can affect future memory issues. In instances of binge drinking, the amount of glutamate builds up and then leads to overabsorption. This causes damage to the glutamate receptors, and if it happens frequently, it may lead to long-term damage to these receptors. As these receptors are damaged, there is an increase of chance for damage to the hippocampus.
Over time, the dependence on alcohol, whether by choice or by brain composition, has an effect on these glutamate neurotransmitters. Another study by Federico Manuel Giorgi found that the presence of alcohol use disorders (AUD) leads to the prevalence of brain degeneration and therefore a correlation with earlier onset of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. In this particular study, mice with Alzheimer's genes served as the control. These were compared to mice that consumed alcohol at the same rate as those with an AUD while also having the predisposition. It was found that those that were consuming alcohol developed signs of neural decline almost 2 months earlier than the control mice. Those who have the predisposition and abuse alcohol tend to show signs of Alzheimer's earlier than those without the abuse.
To connect back to the original question of whether the consumption of alcohol leads to neurodegenerative diseases, there is no definitive answer. This is not due to a lack of evidence, as there is a strong correlation between the two, but rather because there is an abundance of other factors that may lead to these diseases. Furthermore, there are a multitude of other memory related diseases other than Alzheimer's. Most research revolving around alcohol studies and neurodegenerative diseases focuses on Alzheimer's only. Therefore, the assumption that all of these diseases work the same is an overgeneralization. The research made by Hoffman illustrates how to reduce the chances of developing an AUD and therefore reduce the risk of early onset symptoms.
The research made by Stoner illustrates how the specific type of AUD can influence the effects on the brain and therefore the significance on the development of Alzheimer’s. The research by Giorgi explicitly found the connections of Alzheimer's and AUD but does not focus on the correlation of those who do not have a predisposition. If picking and choosing aspects from each study, the main question could be answered, but there are few studies that can provide insight into this question as a whole.
References
Contently Integration. (2026, March 9). Alcohol and alzheimer’s: What new genetic research reveals about risk. UPMC HealthBeat. https://share.upmc.com/2026/03/alcohol-alzheimers-risk/
Hoffman, J. L., Faccidomo, S., Saunders, B. L., Taylor, S. M., Kim, M., & Hodge, C. W. (2021). Inhibition of AMPA receptors (AMPARs) containing transmembrane AMPAR regulatory protein γ-8 with JNJ-55511118 shows preclinical efficacy in reducing chronic repetitive alcohol self-administration. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, 45(7), 1424–1435. https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.14639
Neuroscience News. (2023, June 12). Alcohol in excess hastens alzheimer’s progression. Neuroscience News. https://neurosciencenews.com/alcohol-genetics-alzheimers-23448/
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