A large study of 36,678 typically healthy middle-aged and older persons discovered similar associations between regular alcohol intake and brain alterations 5. It’s important to note that most researchers and healthcare providers have found that alcohol consumed in moderation — one to two drinks for men and one for women — doesn’t typically affect memory. Additionally, many older people also experience a slow degeneration of the cells in the hippocampus. But when you add the effects of heavy alcohol use, memory loss can be very serious. Most prospective cohort studies have follow-up periods of two to three years (see Table 2). Due to the adverse effects on other organ systems22 and higher mortality of alcohol-consuming individuals, these subjects may decease in-between intervals (attrition bias).
- For a clear diagnosis, the person needs to have these symptoms even when they have stopped drinking and are not suffering from the effects of alcohol withdrawal.
- This should ideally be spread over three or more days because ‘binge-drinking’ is particularly harmful to the brain.
- As for the MIND diet, a type of Mediterranean diet that focuses on brain-healthy foods like leafy green vegetables, berries, and omega-3 fatty acids, Naidoo underlines just how important this eating pattern is.
- Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome typically presents with three main areas of symptoms.
Institutional Review Board Statement
For doctors out there, when you see patients who have late-onset alcoholism, which is defined as happening after the age of 40 or older, perhaps these people need a little more attention and an evaluation for a neurologic disorder. We’re not saying that this is happening for everyone who develops this, but it is possible that the drinking is the result of a medical condition that they don’t really have any control over. However, it’s crucial to note that risk and causation are different.
AARP’s Brain Health Resource Center
Below, we lay out the effects of alcohol on the brain and identify the specific drinking behaviors that research says put individuals at the greatest dementia risk. In summary, neuropsychological profiles differ between people with healthy aging, AUD, WKS, Alzheimer’s disease, and other subtypes of dementias. Although AUD, WKS, and Alzheimer’s disease all affect memory processes, the effects of Alzheimer’s disease on mnemonic functions are greater than those observed in AUD and WKS. It aims to stop the person drinking alcohol and make their health more stable. Most people with alcohol-related ‘dementia’ will need to stay in hospital for this. Over time, excessive alcohol consumption increases a person’s risk of AD by 300%.
Effects on the Brain
- A 2023 study published in JAMA Neurology found that dementia risk more than doubled for adults previously diagnosed with depression.
- Find out what experts say about excessive alcohol use and the risk of serious cognitive issues.
- It is likely – for a wide range of reasons – that the condition is under-diagnosed.
- For instance, research suggests that a five-year history of drinking 35 alcoholic beverages a week for men and 28 for women presents a “sufficient” risk for the development of ARD.
If someone forgets where they are, or can’t remember how they got there, that’s a red flag. A sudden and routine loss of interest in family, friends, work and social events can be a warning sign of dementia. “People may feel less comfortable in social situations — holding a conversation, remembering the conversation — so they may start to withdraw from social situations,” Heidebrink says.
Some people may find that they can drink nonalcoholic wine or beer if they can alcohol cause dementia crave the taste of alcohol. This is especially true if they’re older — you may wonder if their symptoms are related to aging. Their metabolism also slows down, so the alcohol stays in their system for longer. A 2013 study found that an estimated 78 percent of individuals diagnosed with AUD experience changes to the brain.
- The study defined moderate drinking as consuming 1–13 standard drinks per week, equivalent to 10–130 grams (g) per week.
- The effects of alcohol-related dementia may be reversible, depending on your circumstances.
- People who are addicted to alcohol are also much less likely to have a balanced diet.
- Older people are also more vulnerable to injuries from falls due to changes in eyesight, spatial recognition, and bone health.
Some people may develop behavioral symptoms or problems with memory and decision-making before experiencing motor effects of alcoholic dementia, but the pattern of symptoms doesn’t necessarily follow a particular sequence. Not everybody who consumes excessive amounts of alcohol for long periods of time develops dementia. But there is no way to predict whether a person who consumes large amounts of alcohol will develop alcoholic dementia or not.
Research into alcohol and dementia risk
They might not be able to understand new information – for example, they may quickly forget the details of a conversation. They may also not be able to recall knowledge and events, such as where they lived previously or places where they have been on holiday. Many studies support the strong link between alcohol use and Alzheimer’s disease. A person may consider joining support groups or attending counseling or therapy if alcohol use is impairing their quality of life in the short and long term. Excessive alcohol may compromise executive functions in people with dementia and can lead to memory, learning, problem-solving, and judgment problems.