Who doesn’t
love to have a beer or cocktail after that test on a Friday night? However, lets be honest how many times in
college did that beer not lead to 1…2…9…10 more after that? As we all know excessive drinking, or binge
drinking, has detrimental effects on the brain, especially the still developing
brain. All of us learned in our
physiology class that the human brain is still developing until around the age
of 25. Because of that many of us still
fall into this category. However what if
there was an option that we could all enjoy our favorite IPA or milk stout
without damaging our neurosystem? This
is where the compound ethane-beta-sultam
comes into the conversation.
To begin with we must first examine
the effect of alcohol on the developing brain.
In a study examining this relationship by D.W. Zeigler et al (2005) they
observed that following the ingestion of alcohol the body exhibits memory
issues, visuospatial ability, as well as retrieval on information. Many of these issues arise because of damages
to the hippocampus in the brain (Zeigler et al, 2005). Some of these damages are caused by the
increased concentration of glial cell in the brain due to the heavier
concentration of alcohol in the brain.
These glial cells are normally used for protection within the brain as a
response to the inflammation. However, these
increased concentrations can lead to brain cell death because of this response
(University of Huddersfield, 2014).
In order to
counteract the damage caused by the alcohol researchers at the University of
Huddersfield are researching the effect of ethane-beta-sultam in the body. This compound is a pro-drug that can easily
enter the body and pass the blood brain barrier. Once this compound enters the brain it
combines with the alcohol to overcome and block the potential damages that
could be caused. It does this by
ensuring that the concentrations of glial cells in the brain stay at normal
levels (University of Huddersfield, 2014).
Even though
one side of this compound is the possibility of being able to binge drink with
no neurodegenerative outcomes, the possible uses of ethane-beta-sultam extend
beyond this realm. Because of the
decreased amount of neurodegeneration shown from the use of this compound,
there is a possibility of extending its use to other disorders including
Alzheimer’s and dementia (University of Huddersfield, 2014). Even better is that it is possible that this
drug could be used prophylactically.
Just imagine a society that we can protect our minds from degeneration
by simply taking a pill.
The use of
this compound is one of particular interest because it would be protecting our
youth from falling behind because they decide to drink. Additionally there is the possibility that
this drug could eliminate all hangovers! One thing that that needs to be
considered is the ethical considerations stemming from this drug. Is it really ethical to give people a
compound that allows them to drink to excess with fewer consequences? Even though the damage in the brain may be
minimized what will the effect of alcoholism?
If alcoholism is being increased what will be the effect on the work
output and family lives across the world?
Just some food for thought.
References:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141127082303.htm
http://public.wsu.edu/~fournier/Teaching/psych312/Lab2AlcoholandSensationSeeking/Alcohol_Sensation_Readings/Zeigler%20et%20al%202005.pdf
This is a very interesting post! I can't help but try to understand this on a biochemical level and what we have learned in biochemistry. I understand that using this drug would allow people in general to drink more, but what about those who have a lower Km with their alcohol dehydrogenase and a higher Km with aldehyde dehydrogenase. Do you think it is possible that by using this drug it could also increase one's tolerance for alcohol? Far jump I know, but do you think it is possible? Or is that completely out of the question?
ReplyDeleteBut, back to your question on ethics, I would have to say that this is a tricky situation. I agree that is would give those who do have a problem with alcohol an even better excuse to drink, because there are less consequences, but I think it could contribute to the problem even more. I think we have a great sum of people who already drink despite the drinking age, but if they didn't have to worry about the problems that come with it, there isn't much stopping them from drinking other than the law. With this type of drug, I feel that this would have to be tightly regulated and shouldn't be available to just anyone.
As for the ethical implications, I think it is great there is a drug that can decrease the amount of neurodegeneration but I also believe that this drug should only be used for those diseases such as Alzheimer's or dementia. I do not think kids should be taking this drug just so they can drink. I do wonder what the side effects of this drug are. Also, is this drug specifically used for preventing neurodegenration in terms of alcohol? If so can there be other side effects with consuming alcohol with this drug?
ReplyDeleteOh man! What a revolutionary idea to protect the brain from damage. Wish they would have thought of this November 9th of 2012 (my 21st birthday), but I digress. Just to play the devil's advocate here, but if this ethane-beta-sultam binds with alcohol, then does that rob me from my well deserved buzz? I am starting to picture it as a un-competitive inhibitor and decreasing alcohols effect simply by blocking it. I am curious of the complete mechanism and its longterm down stream effects.
ReplyDeleteHowever, this drug does seem like a double edge sword. To protect the brain from damage is a good thing, but we are also helping a bad thing. I find this drug to be a bandaid to a bigger problem. Patenting this drug for public use puts into motion a positive feedback loop, ie: people feel that drinking is safer, so they drink more and more often. I cannot help but think this will lead to an increase in the rates of alcoholism. Instead of producing a drug that technically helps aid an addictive substance, I say we educate our youth to enjoy drinking in moderation.
This drug is not all bad though, the implications for the correction or prevention of nerve degeneration is a very exciting and promising aspect that needs to take the reins away from the alcohol perspective. I believe we will be hearing more about this drug and others like it as future health care workers.