Experimental Alzheimer’s drug could reduce alcohol withdrawal damage, researchers say

An investigational dementia drug may also ease alcohol withdrawal by calming the brain inflammation linked to addiction and relapse.

That’s according to researchers at the University of Kentucky, who studied an experimental medication called MW150 that targets a brain inflammation pathway known as p38α MAPK.

The drug, which has not yet been approved, is designed to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

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Scientists believe neuroinflammation may contribute to relapse risk and long-term neurological damage in people with alcohol use disorder.

In laboratory and animal-model experiments, MW150 was found to reduce certain inflammatory markers during alcohol withdrawal.

The work, which was published in the journal Alcohol, came from the University of Kentucky’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, led by neuroinflammation researcher Linda Van Eldik.

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Caleb Bailey, PhD, co-author of the study and a researcher in Van Eldik’s lab, said the study provides "biological plausibility" that MW150 could mitigate neuroinflammation arising from alcohol withdrawal.

Alcohol use disorder is difficult to treat because of high relapse rates, especially during withdrawal, according to Bailey.

"If follow-up experiments reveal similar anti-inflammatory effects of MW150 in animal models of alcohol use disorder, it would provide a strong rationale for development of MW150 as a treatment for those struggling with chronic alcohol relapse due to alcohol withdrawal," he told Fox News Digital.

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MW150, along with a related drug called Neflamapimod, is already being investigated in clinical trials as a potential therapy for dementia and other neurodegenerative conditions, the researchers noted.

"That gives this work added significance," Bailey said. "Because these compounds are already further along in development for other neurological diseases, it raises the possibility that they could someday be repurposed more efficiently for alcohol-related conditions if future studies continue to show promise."

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There were some important caveats of the research, including that it was conducted in cell culture and animal models.

"Because they are ‘dish’-based models, they provide limited information regarding what happens in the full organism – or even the full brain for that matter," Bailey said.

"A series of follow-up studies in living animals is required to more fully understand how future MW150 treatment in alcohol use and withdrawal affects systemic health and/or alcohol consumption."

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Dr. Amy Swift, deputy chief medical officer at Silver Hill Hospital in Connecticut, was not involved in the study but shared her reactions to the findings.

"Although detoxification using tapering doses of medication has long been considered the evidence-based first step in treating alcohol use disorder, its impact on the long-term trajectory of a person’s drinking behavior has been limited," she told Fox News Digital.

"Put simply, detoxification does not treat alcohol use disorder itself; rather, it prevents the potentially fatal complications of alcohol withdrawal."

Adding supportive medications — especially those intended to improve overall brain health — could address an important gap in early treatment of detoxification, according to Swift.

"Given the profound inflammatory effects alcohol has across multiple organ systems, it is worthwhile to investigate whether reducing neuroinflammation could improve a patient’s ability to engage in treatment earlier in recovery and, in turn, meaningfully alter their long-term relationship with alcohol," she added.

Bailey emphasized that no amount of alcohol consumption is good from a physical health standpoint.

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"We don't currently have robust pharmacological treatments to mitigate damage caused by chronic alcohol consumption," he said. "Minimizing alcohol consumption, therefore, is the best strategy for staying healthy."

As the MW150 compound continues to be studied for dementia patients, Bailey saud, "information regarding the interaction between these drugs and alcohol – for better or for worse – will be important for patient outcomes."

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Filtered water at specific ages could add months to your lifespan decades later, new study finds

Drinking filtered water may extend a person's life by several months, according to a new study.

The research, published in the American Journal of Health Economics, reveals that being exposed to water filtration systems early in life can significantly increase longevity. By analyzing public health infrastructure shifts from the early 20th century, researchers found that city water filtration alone increased the lifespan of older American men by an average of 3.2 months.

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"While water quality has improved in many areas, this study shows the real impacts to communities without access to safe water, both in the U.S. and globally," co-author Jason Fletcher, a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, said in a press release.

"The consequences on human health are significant."

The team analyzed data from the Social Security Administration’s Death Master Files. They tracked death records for American men born between 1975 and 2005, mapping each individual’s year and city of birth to historical water filtration records.

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By connecting early-life environments to late-life outcomes, the researchers isolated the lifelong impact of clean water.

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Beyond adding months to a person's life, the study suggests that clean water in childhood sets off a positive chain reaction for socioeconomic and physical development.

Additional data from mid-20th-century censuses showed that early exposure to filtered water was linked to increased height, higher education and income levels later in life.

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The paper is part of a broader research initiative called the American Mortality Project, which examines how early-life conditions shape the modern American lifespan.

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The researchers exclusively analyzed historical data from American men, meaning the findings may not fully capture how early-life water filtration impacted the long-term longevity, physical growth, or cognitive scores of women from the same era.

The data is limited to public health infrastructure changes across U.S. cities during a specific window in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Because of this, the exact timeline and magnitude of the lifespan extension (3.2 months) may not directly translate to modern developing nations, rural communities, or areas with different environments.

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5 common walking mistakes that could hurt your progress, according to an expert

Walking is a great way to get the body moving and clear the mind — but if you're doing it wrong, it may do more harm than good.

That's according to Dr. Milica McDowell, author of the new book "Walk," a guide to getting the most out of walking.

The Montana-based doctor of physical therapy, who specializes in lower extremity and orthopedics, shared in an interview with Fox News Digital how powerful walking can be.

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"Walking has incredible health benefits for your wellness today and your longevity tomorrow," she said. "And it's something that's at an all-time low since the pandemic."

"Walking improves every system in your body – gut, musculoskeletal, mental health, your hormones – and so it has an incredible power to help optimize how you're doing."

McDowell added that walking is a "phenomenal way" to support a weight-loss journey, as it’s low-impact and low-intensity. It can also boost creativity and reduce stress.

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While the health benefits of walking are evident, McDowell warned of some mistakes that could reverse progress.

Escaping our phones can sometimes feel impossible, but if there’s ever a time to be on do-not-disturb, it’s during a walk, according to McDowell.

Walking while scrolling is "really dangerous," she cautioned, as you're less aware of your surroundings and more susceptible to accidents.

"You could step in a pothole. You could get hit by a car. You could trip over something. You could bump into someone," she said. "Walking and scrolling is actually a bit of a public health crisis."

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Scrolling also puts the neck in a downward position, making the head heavier, which changes your posture "from the top down," McDowell said. "That can be a problem if you're someone who struggles with neck pain, back pain or shoulder pain."

McDowell recommends wearing a proper shoe designed specifically for walking to support the feet, promote healthy alignment and protect musculoskeletal health.

The shoe should be "shaped like a foot" so that the toes have room to spread within a wide toe box, she said.

Having space between each toe activates more muscles in the foot and creates a "more healthy walking gait," according to the expert.

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More than 60% of adults wear the wrong shoe size, according to McDowell, and sizing can vary significantly between brands and manufacturers. She recommends getting measured by a professional to ensure the optimal fit.

Walking engages important muscles that support stability and mobility, including the glutes, which help propel the body forward with each step.

But walking shouldn’t be your only form of exercise, experts say. Incorporating strength training and other forms of movement can help prevent overuse injuries, improve balance and build overall fitness.

"A health stack includes drinking enough water, having healthy nutrition and sleeping adequately — and walking can be added to the other activities," she said.

Pairing walking with activities like weightlifting, pickleball, dancing or CrossFit can help create a more balanced fitness routine, according to McDowell, and are all part of building a strong "health stack."

"A health stack includes drinking [enough] water, having healthy nutrition, sleeping adequately — and walking can be added to the other activities," she said.

The speed at which we walk may tell us more about our health than we think.

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Walking speed is the sixth vital sign of health, according to McDowell. These clinical measurements also include blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature.

If your walking speed begins to decline, this could be a marker of underlying health conditions up to seven years before they occur.

While most people walk at about 90 to 100 steps per minute, translating to about three miles per hour, McDowell suggested increasing your speed to reap "higher level benefits."

This might mean taking a brisk walk at about 120 to 130 steps per minute, or three and a half to four miles an hour.

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"That can be a place where you get higher level payoff, including more calories burned, if you're on a weight-loss journey," she said.

McDowell emphasized the importance of staying consistent with your walking routine. 

A daily walk will have bigger payoffs than only walking once or twice a week. The expert likened walking to basic hygiene, such as brushing your teeth.

"Everyone is at different places on their walking journey," she said. "Don't set the 10,000 steps per day benchmark. That is a marketing myth ... Go ahead and find a step count that works well for you, maybe between 5,500 and 7,500."

McDowell summed up that each walk should be efficient.

"If you are an efficient walker, you are graceful, you are not wasting energy, you are walking balanced no matter your height, your weight or your age," she said.

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As the wellness movement has emphasized the importance of just moving, McDowell commented that walking is a "pinnacle activity" in this push.

"People are recognizing that these softer, more consistent activities can provide a lot of benefit for our physical and mental health," she said.

"You don't have to go and crush yourself in the gym. You don't have to be dripping sweat ... It's something you can do for periods of time throughout the day, little ‘snacks’ that all add up, or you can take longer walks depending on what time is available to you."

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Walking can also be a positive social experience done with friends and loved ones, McDowell noted. This is particularly important for seniors who can benefit from the combined physical activity and social interaction.

"Walking with an older adult can help combat loneliness," she said. "It can also help improve balance and reaction time, and reduce fall risk."

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How pneumonia progresses to sepsis: Doctors explain after Kyle Busch's death

NASCAR star Kyle Busch’s cause of death was revealed Saturday as severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis, according to a statement released by his family. The two-time Cup Series champion, 41, died on Thursday after a brief hospitalization with a "severe illness."

"The medical evaluation provided to the Busch Family concluded that severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications," read the statement, which was shared in a news release and reported by FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass on Saturday.

Busch’s tragic case underscores the dangers pneumonia can pose, especially when left untreated or when symptoms quickly intensify.

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Pneumonia is a respiratory infection that fill the lungs with fluid, making breathing difficult. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi, according to multiple medical sources.

Symptoms typically include cough, fever, chills, chest pain and shortness of breath.

Busch reportedly had a sinus infection that worsened prior to his death. "This upper respiratory sinus infection progressed to pneumonia," Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel told Fox News Digital.

Bacterial pneumonia is normally more severe than viral pneumonia, according to Siegel.

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The doctor noted that the physical stress associated with racing simulators — which are designed to mimic the intense G-forces that drivers experience on the track — could potentially aggravate already inflamed lungs during recovery from pneumonia, though direct research on simulator-related effects is limited.

In severe cases, the infection in the lungs can spread into the bloodstream, triggering a widespread, life-threatening inflammatory response known as sepsis — particularly in vulnerable patients or when treatment is delayed, according to Siegel. 

Sepsis can quickly lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death if not treated right away.

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"The body reacts to this severe lung infection by making inflammatory chemicals – it’s the immune system revving up," Siegel said. "But as with a lot of things with the body, the immune system can hurt more than help."

As sepsis worsens, it can cause a drop in blood pressure and interfere with the delivery of oxygen to the body’s tissues, potentially leading to lactic acidosis — a dangerous buildup of lactic acid in the bloodstream.

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Organ failure is a serious risk, particularly affecting the kidneys, Siegel warned.

"The kidneys fail, toxins from the kidneys build up, blood pressure goes down, fever goes up, the lungs fail — something called ARDS," he said.

ARDS — acute respiratory distress syndrome — occurs when inflammation causes fluid to leak into the lungs, making it difficult for oxygen to reach the bloodstream.

Common warning signs of sepsis can include confusion, rapid breathing, extreme weakness, low blood pressure, fast heart rate, and bluish or mottled skin, per the CDC.

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Doctors emphasize that sepsis is a medical emergency because patients can deteriorate rapidly within hours.

Those at higher risk for severe pneumonia and sepsis include older adults and smokers, as well as those with chronic lung disease, diabetes, weakened immune systems or recent viral infections.

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Diet change tied to ‘younger’ biological age in older adults after 4 weeks

Researchers have found that changing your diet — even later in life — may slow the aging process in as little as one month.

Researchers from the University of Sydney assigned 104 participants aged 65-75 to one of four diets. Two of the diets were omnivorous and included protein from both animals and plants. Two included 70% of protein from plant sources.

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One omnivorous diet was high in fat, while the other emphasized carbohydrates. The two semi-vegetarian diets were distinguished in the same way. All four diets derived 14 percent of energy from protein.

"Biological age" essentially means how old the body appears based on health indicators, called biomarkers, rather than how many years a person has been alive.

The scientists measured 20 varied biomarkers, including cholesterol and insulin levels, in participants to determine how short-term diet changes affect biological aging.

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"While chronological age increases uniformly, biological aging varies between individuals, reflecting differences in health status and the body’s resilience," said a University of Sydney report on the study’s findings.

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According to the report, biomarker profiles "are often considered a better indicator of overall health and potential longevity than chronological age."

The scientists found that after four weeks, participants’ biological ages in three of the four diet groups reduced. Only the high-fat omnivorous dieters’ biological ages "showed no meaningful change."

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The study, "Short-Term Dietary Intervention Alters Physiological Profiles Relevant to Ageing," published in Aging Cell, concluded that the most pronounced improvements came from "diets rich in complex carbohydrates and plant-based components."

The research team cautioned that these results are preliminary and may represent only short-term effects.

"It’s too soon to say definitively that specific changes to diet will extend your life," said Caitlin Andrews, who led the study. "But this research offers an early indication of the potential benefits of dietary changes later in life."

Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for comment.

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The 'age' of your blood could predict dementia risk, new study suggests

Your biological age could reveal your risk of developing dementia.

New research published by the Alzheimer’s Association explored the link between a person’s biological age, determined through a blood test, and all-cause dementia risk.

The U.K.-based researchers analyzed UK Biobank data from more than 223,000 participants, measuring blood metabolites — small molecules linked to fat processing, inflammation and energy use.

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According to health records, nearly 4,000 of the participants developed dementia during follow-up.

The researchers calculated a measure called MileAge delta (metabolite-predicted age minus actual age). A higher MileAge delta means an individual’s blood profile looks older than expected, and a lower MileAge delta means their profile looks younger.

Researchers calculated "MileAge delta" (metabolite-predicted age minus actual age) — the difference between metabolite-predicted age and actual age. A higher delta means a person’s blood profile appears older than expected, while a lower delta means it appears younger.

The results showed that a higher MileAge delta was linked to a higher risk of all-cause dementia, vascular dementia, earlier-onset dementia and unspecified dementia. The strongest association was for vascular dementia.

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People with both a higher MileAge delta and the APOE gene linked to Alzheimer’s had a 10-times greater risk of developing all-cause dementia.

Study co-author Dr. Julian Mutz, a research fellow at the Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre at King’s College London, called this increased genetic risk "striking."

"The biological aging marker, MileAge, was especially predictive of vascular dementia, the second most common form of dementia," he told Fox News Digital in an interview.

The researcher said it’s important to better understand other risk factors beyond genetics.

"While tenfold is a very large increase, it reflects the combination of a powerful genetic risk factor with an indicator of biological aging," he said.

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"The important point is that these two sources of risk are complementary, and unlike genetic risk, metabolomic aging (biological aging measured through metabolites) is potentially modifiable through lifestyle or clinical intervention."

Mutz considered how managing cardiovascular risk factors, staying physically active and monitoring mental health can help slow biological aging, thus reducing the risk of dementia and other age-related diseases.

"Dementia is not an inevitable consequence of aging," Mutz noted. "It can potentially be delayed or prevented by modifying risk factors, including biological aging."

Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel commented on these findings, noting that the study points out the value of "healthspan" versus "lifespan."

"It emphasizes the role of the APOE gene in provoking dementia, especially Alzheimer’s," reiterated the doctor, who was not involved in the study.

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This research also highlights how chronic illness increases the chance of dementia when combined with the APOE gene, Siegel added.

"There’s a 60% increased risk of vascular dementia when poor health is combined with this gene," he said. "Vascular dementia correlates with heart disease, high blood pressure and obesity."

The study had some limitations, the researchers acknowledged. Because it was observational, the research couldn't prove that older biological age causes a higher risk of dementia, but only suggested an association.

As the data came from the UK Biobank, the participants tended to be healthier and primarily of European ancestry, and so were not fully representative of the general population. The study also relied on a single blood measurement, meaning it could not track changes in biological aging over time, the researchers noted.

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Regarding the dementia diagnoses, it's possible that lifestyle behaviors and health factors could have influenced the results.

The researchers emphasized that the MileAge biomarker still requires further validation before being used in clinical settings.

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