Association Between Alcohol Consumption & The Incidence of Dementia
- by Joanna Blair
- •
- 05 May, 2025
- •
Epidemiological studies suggest that excessive drinking and life-time alcohol use are
associated with the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) (3).
What Is Alzhemiemer's Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60 to 80% of dementia cases (1). According to Zheng et al., (2024), it is estimated that the number of people with dementia is likely to increase from 57.4 million globally in 2019 to 152.8 million by 2050.
Zhornitsky et al., (2021) found that amongst patients with possible or probable AD, a history of heavy drinking was associated with an earlier onset of AD. AD pathology is characterised by the cluster of extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) into amyloid plaques, cognitive decline and neurodegeneration (3).
What Is Alzhemiemer's Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60 to 80% of dementia cases (1). According to Zheng et al., (2024), it is estimated that the number of people with dementia is likely to increase from 57.4 million globally in 2019 to 152.8 million by 2050.
Zhornitsky et al., (2021) found that amongst patients with possible or probable AD, a history of heavy drinking was associated with an earlier onset of AD. AD pathology is characterised by the cluster of extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) into amyloid plaques, cognitive decline and neurodegeneration (3).
Studies have found that frequent alcohol use is associated with diminished gray matter volumes (GMV) in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), thalamus, hippocampus, and orbitofrontal cortex, brain regions widely implicated in the progression of AD (3). Alcohol-dependent individuals in research studies have shown smaller GMV in the medial frontal and lateral prefrontal cortex as well as posterior cortical regions, and the extent of GMV reduction predicted relapse to heavy drinking (3).
References
1. Day, S. M., Gironda, S. C., Clarke, C. W., Snipes, J. A., Nicol, N. I., Kamran, H., Vaughan, W., Weiner, J. L., Macauley, S. L. (2023) Ethanol exposure alters Alzheimer’s-related pathology, behavior, and
metabolism in APP/PS1 mice, Neurobiology of Disease, 177: 1-14.
2. Zheng, L., , Liao, W., Luo, S., Li, B., Liu, D., Yun, Q., Zhao, Z., Zhao, J., Rong, J., Gong, Z., Sha, F., Tang, J. (2024) Association between alcohol consumption and incidence of dementia in current drinkers: linear and non-linear mendelian randomization analysis, OA Open Access, The Lancet, 76: 1-12.
3. Zhornitsky, S., Chaudhary, Thang, M., Chen, Y., Zhang, S., Potvin, S., Chao, H. H., van Dyck, C. H., Li, C-S. R. (2021) Cognitive dysfunction and cerebral volumetric deficits in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, alcohol use disorder, and dual diagnosis, Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging, 30; 317: 1-25.
2. Zheng, L., , Liao, W., Luo, S., Li, B., Liu, D., Yun, Q., Zhao, Z., Zhao, J., Rong, J., Gong, Z., Sha, F., Tang, J. (2024) Association between alcohol consumption and incidence of dementia in current drinkers: linear and non-linear mendelian randomization analysis, OA Open Access, The Lancet, 76: 1-12.
3. Zhornitsky, S., Chaudhary, Thang, M., Chen, Y., Zhang, S., Potvin, S., Chao, H. H., van Dyck, C. H., Li, C-S. R. (2021) Cognitive dysfunction and cerebral volumetric deficits in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, alcohol use disorder, and dual diagnosis, Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging, 30; 317: 1-25.
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