Could a mutation involved in alcohol metabolism contribute to Alzheimer’s disease?

A mutation in ALDH2 – a key enzyme involved in alcohol metabolism – has been indicated to increase damage in cells obtained from individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and in mouse models. The study has been published in Acta Neuropathologica Communications. This mutation in ALDH2 is associated with facial redness following alcohol consumption, which is a trait commonly referred to as ‘Asian glow’. The mutation occurs in approximately 8% of the world’s population and is more prevalent in the east-Asian population. Although previous epidemiological studies carried out in this population have suggested there is an association between the mutation in...