Does acrylamide increase the risk of neurodegenerative and cardiovascular disease?

Acrylamide, a widespread food-processing contaminant, poses a major public health concern due to its high exposure level in the general population and its toxicity.

While animal evidence shows that acrylamide causes neurological alterations and may play a role in cardiovascular disease, evidence in humans is lacking.

Our project aims to investigate whether dietary acrylamide exposure, measured in blood, increases the risk of dementia, Alzheimer´s and Parkinson´s diseases and myocardial infarction.

In addition, we aim to improve the understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying these associations integrating small compounds in blood (i.e., OMICS).In two population-based cohorts, the Cohort of 60-Year-Olds and the Swedish Mammography Cohort, acrylamide will be assessed in blood samples using a case-cohort design (around 1,740 individuals, 20-year follow-up).

The results will be presented in four scientific publications using adequate data analysis.

The project will run from 2024-2028.The project´s findings will help improve public health through safer food and better nutrition.

If findings indicate that acrylamide increases the risk of these diseases, this will urge interventions to decrease acrylamide exposure via food production and consumption. In turn, this will help to reduce the burden of these diseases. Even findings showing null association will be equally relevant to avoid unnecessary and costly preventive measures.