In a new preclinical study, American scientists have proved that even moderate alcohol consumption will accelerate brain atrophy and increase the number of amyloid plaques. Relevant research was published in the latest issue of the journal Neurobiology of Diseases. In the latest study, scientists from Wake Forest University School of Medicine used a mouse model with Alzheimer's disease-related pathology, and used a 10-week chronic drinking method to make mice choose to drink water or alcohol, imitating human drinking behavior. Then, they studied how voluntary moderate drinking changed healthy brain function and behavior, and whether it changed the pathology related to the early stage of Alzheimer's disease. The results showed that even moderate alcohol consumption would accelerate brain atrophy (loss of brain cells) and increase the number of amyloid plaques (accumulation of toxic protein), including more small plaques, which may lay a foundation for future plaque increase. Moreover, acute abstinence will increase β Amyloid protein level, β Amyloid protein is the key component of amyloid plaque accumulated in Alzheimer's disease. Further analysis shows that long-term alcohol consumption leads to poor regulation of brain and peripheral metabolism in mice, which is another way to accelerate Alzheimer's disease. In addition, the latest research found that even moderate drinking will lead to the increase of blood sugar and insulin resistance markers, which will not only increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease, but also increase the risk of type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease. (Xinhua News Agency)