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Is your dementia risk linked to your alcohol habit today? A new study has answers

Heavy drinkers were specifically at 133% increased risk of thicker and narrowed blood vessels in the brain

Researchers found that heavy drinkers were specifically at a 133% increased risk of thicker and narrowed blood vessels in the brain. (File)

Did you know that you might raise the risk of dementia — a progressive decline in mental abilities that affects your memory, thinking and reasoning — by drinking alcohol heavily in your younger years? A Brazilian study has shown that moderate, heavy and former heavy drinking can impact cognitive abilities and lead to dementia.

This was a cross-sectional population-based autopsy study with brain samples taken from the Sao Paulo Autopsy Service and part of the Biobank for Aging Studies. It specifically excluded brain samples where someone died due to trauma. Researchers classified one dose of alcohol as 14 grams. Moderate drinkers had up to seven doses of alcohol in a week, heavy drinkers had eight or more doses and former heavy drinkers were those who had ceased drinking up to three months before they died. These samples were compared to samples of non-drinkers.

Researchers found that heavy drinkers were specifically at a 133% increased risk of thicker and narrowed blood vessels in the brain. Heavy and former heavy drinkers were also at an increased risk for protein tangles that disrupt the communication between neurons. Former heavy drinkers had lower brain weight. They had slightly higher average clinical dementia rating scores compared to non-drinkers.

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According to Dr PN Renjen, neurologist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Delhi, alcohol use disorder, characterised by compulsive drinking despite negative consequences, does damage the brain. “Some brain changes may be reversible with months of abstinence but full recovery is not guaranteed,” he says.

How does alcohol consumption affect the brain?

Alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication pathways, affecting balance, memory, speech, and judgment. Long-term heavy drinking causes alterations in neurons, reducing their size and brain tissue, particularly in areas involved in memory. This can lead to memory gaps, difficulty walking and poor judgment. The impact on brain development can be particularly detrimental in late teens, potentially resulting in lasting changes.

Impact on weekly and occasional drinkers

Drinking moderately, such as weekly or once/twice a month, may not significantly impact cognitive abilities for most people. However, individual tolerance and drinking patterns play a significant role. Binge drinking, even if infrequent, can still cause harm.

Impact on heavy drinkers

Heavy drinkers, who consume alcohol daily or every alternate day, are at a higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Chronic heavy drinking can lead to significant changes in brain structure and function, impairing cognitive abilities. Heavy alcohol use is associated with an increased risk of all types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Reducing heavy alcohol use may be an effective dementia prevention strategy. Heavy drinkers should seek professional help to address addiction and minimize long-term consequences.

Neurological diseases linked to alcohol consumption

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Alcohol consumption is not only linked to dementia but also to other neurological diseases. These include:

* Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome: A brain disorder caused by thiamine deficiency, often associated with heavy drinking.

* Alcohol-Related Brain Damage: Heavy drinking can lead to changes in brain structure and function, affecting cognitive and motor skills.

* Alzheimer’s Disease: Heavy drinking may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

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* Vascular Dementia: Heavy drinking can increase the risk of vascular dementia by damaging blood vessels in the brain.