Sunscreen may stop skin cancer … but could cause Alzheimer's

Published on Monday 24 August 2009 22:01

THE possibility of Alzheimer's disease being induced by the sunscreen used every summer by tens of millions of holidaymakers is being investigated by academics, it has been revealed.

Sun-worshippers are constantly told of the importance of using sunscreen, but the University of Ulster said two of its experts have been given substantial funding by the European Union to explore the possible links between sunscreen and the brain disease. They are leading groundbreaking research into whether human-engineered nanoparticles, such as those found in sunscreen, can induce neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Professor Vyvyan Howard, a pathologist and toxicologist, and Alzheimer's expert Dr Christian Holster have been awarded 350,000 from the EU to carry out a research project.

Their work at the Biomedical Sciences Institute in Coleraine, Co Londonderry, is part of a worldwide project called NeuroNano. Academic partners in the project are working in universities in Edinburgh, Dublin, Cork and Munich, while institutions in the United States and Japan are also taking part.

"The overall science and technology objective of this programme is to determine if engineered nanoparticles could constitute a significant neuro-toxicological risk to humans for two diseases – Alzheimer's and Parkinson's," said Professor Howard.

The University of Ulster experts will be specifically looking at nanoparticles present in chemicals found in sunscreens and an additive in some diesel fuels – titanium dioxide and cerium oxide – and their connection to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

Professor Howard said: "There is now firm evidence that some engineered nanoparticles entering intravenously or via lungs can reach the brains of small animals.

"They lodge in almost all parts of the brain and there are no efficient clearance mechanisms to remove them once there."

There were also suggestions that nanoscale particles arising from urban pollution had reached the brains of animals and children living in Mexico City, he said.

The Alzheimer's Research Trust cautioned people about stopping using sunscreen.

Trust research manger Dr Simon Ridley said: "The exact causes of Alzheimer's disease are unknown.

"It is likely that both genetic and environmental factors are involved. People should not worry about using sunscreen.