These results define the changes that occur to microglial cells following exposure to physiologically relevant amounts of ethanol. While changes in inflammatory mRNAs were expected, observations that alcohol induces changes in mRNAs involved in phagocytosis including members of the complement system is a novel finding suggesting that alcohol consumption can lead to dysregulation of clearance processes in the CNS. In vitro results showing reduced uptake of Aβ, together with the finding that alcohol increase Pycard (ASC) expression which can play a role in amyloid plaque formation, have important implications for AD patients as well as those at risk to develop disease.
