Categorising a problem: alcohol and dementia SpringerLink

Overall, evidence is weak as many studies were too small or too short to be conclusive. In addition, the Mediterranean diet might increase specific nutrients that may protect the brain through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It may also inhibit beta-amyloid deposits, which are found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s or improve cellular metabolism in ways that protect against the disease. One diet that shows some promising evidence is the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fish, and other seafood; unsaturated fats such as olive oils; and low amounts of red meat, eggs, and sweets.

AD is one of the most common diseases within the elderly population and is the leading cause of dementia, accounting for 60–70% of all cases [5]. Observational studies have suggested that light-moderate alcohol
consumption decreases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, but it is
unclear if this association is causal. The link between alcohol and dementia (or lack thereof) in non-drinkers however is not fully understood and individuals who do not currently drink alcohol should not start as a method of protection against the development of dementia.

Introduction and Alcohol Use: Dual Effects and Mechanisms

When the researchers investigated the potential impact of APOE E4, they found no significant effect, which mirrors several previous studies. The authors theorize that the lack of effect might be because the association is more pronounced in younger populations; they call for further investigation. According to the authors, at the start of the study, each participant went https://ecosoberhouse.com/ through “a comprehensive neuropsychological battery of 10 tests.” These assessed a range of cognitive functions, and participants completed the tests every 6 months. For example, drinking 7 glasses of beer on 1 day each week is likely to have a different impact than drinking 1 glass of beer each night, every day of the week; although the quantity consumed is the same.

Many of these lifestyle changes take time that many middle-aged women feel they don’t have, Dr. Caldwell said. While this research sounds alarming, most women’s brains and cognitive function stabilize after the menopause transition, Dr. Maki said. They also resemble changes in the brain that precede dementia, Dr. Mosconi said.

2. Studies in Animal and Cell Culture Models

The article aims to review the relationship between alcohol use and dementia. Medline and Google Scholar searches were conducted for relevant articles, chapters and books published until 2019. Search terms used included alcohol consumption, alcohol-related dementia, can alcoholism cause dementia alcohol use disorders, chronic alcoholism, dementia. Publications found through this indexed search were reviewed for further relevant references. Alcohol acts on the central nervous system via both direct and indirect effects, frequently a combination of the two.

• Alcohol-related ‘dementia’ can also cause problems with a person’s mood, such as apathy, depression or irritability.
• Importance 
  The impact of serial changes in alcohol consumption on dementia risk has rarely been investigated to date.
• “The thing about dementia is, although it’s common in a population, everyone’s chance of getting it at any given time is kind of low. So, it’s a difficult thing to study.”
• According to the authors, at the start of the study, each participant went through “a comprehensive neuropsychological battery of 10 tests.” These assessed a range of cognitive functions, and participants completed the tests every 6 months.
• This excessive consumption puts a person at risk of various brain diseases, including AD, stroke, and heart disease.
• These neuronal diseases are chronic and progressive, decreasing the quality of life for both patients and their caregivers and bringing a heavy economic burden to society [2].

The researchers adjusted for other factors such as age, sex and sleeping medication use, and still found each percentage decrease in deep sleep per year was linked to a 27 per cent higher dementia risk. Physical inactivity presents a greater risk for neurodegenerative diseases in women than in men, Dr. Caldwell said. And women throughout their lives, on average, are twice as likely to be physically inactive than men,” she said.