The Relationship Between Alcohol and Dementia: What You Should Know

The Relationship Between Alcohol and Dementia: What You Should Know

January 14, 2015

Dementia represents one of the most significant health challenges facing our aging population. As a leading rehabilitation center in Malibu, we at Seasons in Malibu believe education is the first step toward prevention and treatment of conditions affected by substance use.

What is Dementia?

Dementia isn’t a specific disease, but rather a general term to describe symptoms such as impairments to memory, communication, thinking, and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily functioning. These cognitive changes are typically accompanied by alterations in mood and behavior. While age is the strongest known risk factor, dementia isn’t a normal part of aging – and certain lifestyle factors, including alcohol consumption, may influence risk.

Facts about Alcohol

Alcohol is classified as a depressant, which means it slows the function of the central nervous system. Alcohol achieves this by blocking messages trying to get to the brain. This affects a person’s ability to perceive, process and handle emotions, control movements, and can even impair vision and hearing.

The statistics are sobering: annually, there are over 25,000 deaths in the U.S. caused by alcohol intoxication, not including accidents where alcohol was a factor. Heavy alcohol consumption is directly associated with numerous health problems such as dementia praecox, Wernicke’s disease, Korsakoff’s syndrome, heart and liver disease, hypertension, cancer and stroke.

How Much Alcohol is Low to Moderate?

Moderate alcohol consumption is defined as no more than two drinks for men and one for women per day. One standard drink typically contains 15 grams of alcohol or 0.5 ounces, which equals approximately:

12 ounces of beer
5 ounces of wine
1.5 ounces of 80-proof hard liquor

However, these guidelines may vary depending on the individual. People with smaller body frames might need less alcohol for the given moderate level, and older adults might be more sensitive due to slower metabolism.

Red Wine and Cognitive Health

Studies have shown that the strongest protection against cognitive decline correlates to red wine consumption. The Tromsø study regularly tested 5,033 older adults with exercises regarding memory, attention and learning. The participants who drank red wine performed better in all three categories and displayed slower age-related cognitive decline compared to those who drank liquor and beer.

Nevertheless, it’s nearly impossible to isolate the effects of red wine alone when other lifestyle factors are involved. Typically, people who drink red wine tend to eat healthier foods, be better educated, exercise consistently, and maintain a healthier body weight – all factors that relate to lowering the risks of Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, drinking red wine may simply reflect an overall healthier lifestyle.

While red wine appears to have heart-healthy benefits compared to other forms of alcohol, evidence is insufficient to conclusively state that red wine is superior to beer or liquor. Polyphenols, which are antioxidants found in red wine, help protect the lining of blood vessels in your heart. Resveratrol, a specific polyphenol, helps prevent damage to blood vessels, reduces bad cholesterol, and prevents blood clots.

The Rotterdam Study: Alcohol and Dementia Risk

In 1990, researchers initiated “The Rotterdam Study” to examine the relationship between alcohol consumption and dementia risk. The study involved 7,983 participants aged 55 years or older who didn’t have dementia at baseline. Complete data on alcohol consumption was collected from 1990 to 1993.

Follow-up assessments occurred from 1993-1994 and 1997-1999, with a comprehensive monitoring system that achieved 99.7% follow-up. The researchers used proportional hazards regression analysis, adjusted for age, gender, systolic blood pressure, education, smoking, and BMI, comparing regular alcohol consumers to non-drinkers.

Over the average six-year follow-up period, 197 participants developed dementia: 146 with Alzheimer’s disease, 29 with vascular dementia, and 22 with other forms of dementia. Although the researchers didn’t find evidence connecting dementia to a specific type of alcohol, the findings suggest that low to moderate alcohol consumption may reduce the risk of developing dementia.

At Seasons in Malibu, we understand the complex relationship between substance use and cognitive health. If you or a loved one are concerned about alcohol consumption patterns, our team of experts is here to provide guidance and support.