Research Reveals How Alcohol Abuse Rewires Your Brain

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Alcohol abuse can cause numerous health problems, and recently scientists have discovered that it also rewires your brain.

A study published in Progress in neurobiology On November 13, 2020, he found that changes in amygdala cell activity can result in alcohol addiction. The amygdala, a small almond-shaped region located deep within the brain, regulates emotions, behavior, and motivation. When anti-inflammatory mechanisms and cell activity are disturbed, it can result in addictions to various substances.

Marisa Roberto, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Molecular Medicine at Scripps Research, and her team studied these changes within the amygdala. For the first time, they discovered how alcohol abuse reconfigures the brain, specifically the amygdala. When they experimented with mice, they found a way to counteract this process and stop binge drinking. This shows promise for future treatment plans for Alcohol abuse.

How alcohol changes the brain

“We found that chronic exposure to alcohol compromises the brain’s immune cells, which are important for keeping neurons healthy,” says Reesha Patel, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in Roberto’s lab and first author of the study. “The resulting damage fuels anxiety and alcohol use that can lead to an alcohol use disorder.”

The study focused on a ubiquitous immune protein in the brain called interleukin 10 or IL-10. Known for its powerful anti-inflammatory effect, this protein tells the immune system not to overreact to threats. In the brain, IL-10 helps reduce inflammation caused by injury or illness, such as a stroke or concussion. Low levels of this protein in the brain have been associated with chronic alcohol abuse.

Mice with chronic alcohol consumption had significantly reduced levels of IL-10 in the amygdala and the neurons were not firing properly. These factors led to increased alcohol consumption. However, by increasing IL-10 signaling in the brain, the scientists reversed the unwanted effects of binge drinking. In particular, they noticed a large decrease in anxiety and the desire to drink alcohol.

“We have shown that inflammatory immune responses in the brain are very much at stake in the development and maintenance of alcohol use disorder,” says Roberto. “But perhaps most importantly, we provide a new framework for therapeutic intervention, targeting anti-inflammatory mechanisms.”

Alcohol use disorder affects an estimated 15 million Americans, and treatment options are unfortunately few. However, this study may lead to more therapies in the future for those with alcoholism. The key lies in boosting anti-inflammatory mechanisms in the brain, as high inflammation appears to exacerbate the problem.

Know the main warning signs of alcohol use disorder (AUD)

According to the Mayo ClinicHere are key signs that someone may have an alcohol use disorder:

Not being able to limit the amount of alcohol consumed
Attempts to reduce alcohol consumption have failed, despite the desire to do so
You spend a lot of your time drinking, getting alcohol, or recovering from a hangover.
You have a strong urge or desire to drink excessively.
Work, school or family life is affected Alcohol abuse
You continue to drink alcohol despite physical, social, or mental problems.
You withdraw from social or work activities and hobbies.
Drinks in unsafe situations, such as when driving or operating machinery.
High tolerance to alcohol, so more is needed to produce the desired effect.
You experience withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, and shaking, when not drinking or drinking to avoid these symptoms.

Excessive alcohol consumption can cause the following health problems over time:

Liver disease Excessive alcohol consumption can cause fatty liver disease, liver inflammation, and cirrhosis.
Digestive problems. Alcohol abuse can lead to inflammation of the stomach lining and ulcers. It can also cause poor absorption of necessary nutrients. Also, it can cause pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
Heart problems. Drinking too much can lead to high blood pressure and eventually lead to a heart attack or stroke. A single episode of binge drinking can cause heart arrhythmia.
Diabetes worsens. Alcohol can cause low blood sugar levels by interrupting the release of glucose from the liver. If you have diabetes and take insulin to lower your blood sugar, this can have dangerous implications.
Neurological complications. Alcohol abuse can damage your nervous system, causing numbness and pain in your limbs, memory problems, dementia, and trouble thinking clearly.
Weakened immune system Drinking too much alcohol can make it harder for your body to fight disease due to the disruption of gut bacteria.
Increased risk of cancer. Long-term heavy alcohol use can increase the risk of many cancers, including those of the mouth, throat, liver, esophagus, colon, and breast.

Other study findings

On the aforementioned study, Roberto and his team collaborated with Silke Paust, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology. Paust and his team found elevated levels of immune cells known as microglia and regulatory T cells in mice with chronic alcohol consumption. These immune cells produce IL-10, the anti-inflammatory protein. However, while the mice had higher levels of IL-10 in their brains overall, the amygdala showed much lower levels.

In the tonsil of mice with Alcohol abuse, protein signaling did not work properly. This suggests that the immune system in the amygdala, specifically, responds differently to an alcohol use disorder.

This study reinforces previous research by Roberto and his team that showed the correlation between microglia and alcohol abuse. In the future, studies will further investigate how and when IL-10 sends signals to neurons in the amygdala.

Final Thoughts on Research Showing How Alcohol Abuse Reshapes Your Brain

Not only does alcohol abuse damage the brain, it can also cause many other health problems. A recent study showed how binge drinking can alter brain function by lowering an anti-inflammatory protein in the amygdala. This small almond-shaped area of the brain controls emotions, motivation, and behavior, all of which play a role in the development of an addiction. However, scientists believe that targeting and enhancing IL-10 signaling in the brain can reverse alcohol abuse.

Future studies will look more deeply at the connection between this protein and alcohol abuse. Researchers hope that future therapies will focus more on anti-inflammatory compounds and supplements.