Study Finds Link Between Drinking, Dementia
New research suggests that certain middle-aged people who consume alcohol might put themselves at a greater risk for late-life dementia, WebMD reported Sept. 2.
Researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, found that drinkers with the apolipoprotein E genotype are most at risk. The gene is an established risk factor for dementia in old age.
For the survey, 1,000 men and women were tracked for an average of 23 years. At follow-up, the participants were between the ages of 65 and 79. The study asked participants about their alcohol consumption. Infrequent drinkers were defined as consuming alcohol less than once a month, while frequent drinkers consumed alcohol several times a month.
The researchers found that frequent drinkers with the apolipoprotein E genotype were three-times more likely to develop dementia, while infrequent drinkers with the gene variant had double the risk of dementia.
"Earlier studies indicated that light to moderate drinking may be protective, but this study shows that the picture is much more complex," said researcher Miia Kivipelto, M.D, Ph.D. "The more people with this susceptibility gene drank, the more their risk for dementia increased."
The study's findings are published in the Sept. 4 issue of the British Medical Journal.
Anttila, T., et al. (2004) Alcohol drinking in middle age and subsequent risk of mild cognitive impairment and dementia in old age: a prospective population based study. British Medical Journal, 329(7465): 539.
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