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By Lucy Williams, Ivanhoe Health Correspondent
ORLANDO, Fla. (Newswire) -- Do you ever feel like you're losing your mind? Just a drink or two each day could give you a memory boost and prevent Alzheimer's disease.
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A new study shows moderate alcohol consumption increases the expression of a brain receptor believed to play a role in memory and learning. Researchers report this finding could have important implications for Alzheimer's prevention.
"At the time of our study, there were epidemiological studies coming from France that correlated the amount of Alzheimer's in different regions," study author Matthew During, M.D., Ph.D., of Ohio State University in Columbus, told Ivanhoe. "Those regions with the highest wine consumption tended to have the lowest Alzheimer's risk."
If you like beer more than wine, don't worry. Dr. During said all types of alcohol have memory-boosting benefits.
In the study, researchers evaluated memory performance in lab rats. In memory tests, rats that consumed moderate levels of alcohol outperformed those given high doses of alcohol or none at all. Rats that consumed alcohol also experienced a change in brain neurons associated with improved memory. Researchers found alcohol increases the expression of the receptor NR1 on the surface of a part of the brain called the hippocampus. Both NR1 and the hippocampus are linked are linked to memory.
In a separate experiment, researchers blocked NR1 receptors in lab rats given alcohol. In this situation, the rats did not have improved memory. Researchers conclude alcohol improves memory by increasing the expression of NR1.
Moderate consumption is key when it comes to alcohol's benefits. The study reveals low levels of alcohol boost memory without damaging brain and liver tissue. High levels of alcohol are detrimental to both the brain and liver.
"People have reported how bad alcohol is for the brain based on studies where people were heavy drinkers who had nutritional deficiencies and all sorts of other problems that put their brain at risk," Dr. During said. "I think heavy drinking is never a good thing."
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
SOURCE: Ivanhoe interview with Matthew During, M.D., Ph.D., of Ohio State University; 36th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience in Atlanta, Oct. 14-18, 2006; Society for Neuroscience, published online 2006
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