E-cigarettes Linked to Increased Alcohol and Drug Consumption Among Teens, Study Finds
Temple University researchers have embarked on a new study aimed at understanding the effects of combining e-cigarettes and alcohol on the brain’s protective layer, known as the blood-brain barrier. The researchers, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), aim to identify specific injuries caused by this combination and identify potential biomarkers for clinical use.
E-cigarettes, known for their variety of flavors and perceived safety, have been heavily marketed towards adolescents, making them increasingly popular among this age group. However, recent studies have linked e-cigarette use to increased alcohol consumption, as well as the use of other substances and drugs. The health effects of combining e-cigarettes and alcohol, however, remain largely unknown.
“The clinical studies in human volunteers suggest that e-cigarettes alone negatively impact microvessels in the brain and increase levels of inflammatory factors in the blood,” said Dr. Yuri Persidsky, the principal investigator of the study and Chair of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine. “With our new funding, we plan to identify and better understand the factors and mechanisms behind these events, which could have adverse effects on brain function.”
The blood-brain barrier is a critical layer of cells that regulates the passage of substances into the central nervous system. When impaired, it can lead to neurological damage and cognitive decline. Previous studies have shown that e-cigarette use alone can disrupt blood-brain barrier function and cause inflammation in the brain. Animal studies have also linked exposure to e-cigarette vapors to decreased neuronal function support and increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory molecules.
Through the new research, Dr. Persidsky and his team will use in vitro systems and animal models to investigate the mechanism of injury caused by alcohol and e-cigarettes on the blood-brain barrier. Preliminary data suggests that the combination of alcohol and e-cigarette exposure leads to enhanced mitochondrial dysfunction and cognitive decline.
In addition to understanding the specific injuries caused by this combination, the researchers also aim to identify biomarkers that can detect blood-brain barrier injury in substance users. This discovery could potentially lead to the development of screening strategies to identify and assess levels of blood-brain barrier injury in individuals who use e-cigarettes and alcohol.
The study, supported by the National Institute On Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health, will receive over half a million dollars in funding annually for the next five years.
The findings of this study will contribute to a better understanding of the potential health risks associated with combining e-cigarettes and alcohol, particularly among adolescents. It may also lead to the development of targeted interventions and clinical strategies to mitigate the harmful effects of this combination on the brain.