We will then address the question whether alcohol consumption constitutes a potential target for dementia prevention. Furthermore, the majority of the observational study populations are not representative of heavy alcohol users or people with AUDs, as these individuals are often excluded by design 20. Heavy alcohol users and people with AUDs were excluded from the sampling frames 60), were more likely to drop out 20, and were more likely to die at younger ages 74, 76,77,78. To address these limitations, future epidemiological studies on the role of heavy alcohol use and AUDs on dementia onset could be conducted in a hospital setting where individuals with such characteristics are over-represented.
Role of cardiometabolic disease in association between midlife alcohol consumption and dementia
This score is based on the MedDiet Score 48 from which alcohol consumption has been removed, making it a modified version of MedDiet Score (mMedDiet Score). In particular, recall data were grouped into specific food groups, namely full- and low- fat dairy products, non-refined cereals (whole bread, pasta, rice, other grain), fruits, vegetables, potatoes, red meat and products, poultry, fish, legumes, added fats, etc. Based on this food grouping, food groups that are presumed amphetamine addiction treatment to closely characterize the Mediterranean pattern (i.e. non-refined cereals, fruits, vegetables, legumes, potatoes, fish and olive oil) were assigned scores ranging from 0 to 5, based on the consumption frequency. In specific individuals who reported no consumption were assigned a score of 0, and scores ranging from 1 to 5 are assigned based on frequency of consumption, from rare to daily. For those foods that are presumed to diverge from this diet pattern (i.e. meat and meat products, poultry and full-fat dairy products), participants were assigned scores on a reverse scale. Total mMedDiet Score ranges from 0 to 50, with higher values indicating greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) pattern.
Alcohol Effects on the Central Nervous System
These toxins may accumulate and reach the brain, causing hepatic encephalopathy—a condition marked by confusion, forgetfulness, and cognitive decline. Many people with alcohol-related ‘dementia’ have to wait in hospital for a long time before they can get specialist care. Depending on how serious their condition is, they could be supported in residential care, sheltered accommodation or in their own home – with support in the community.
Trajectories of alcohol consumption between midlife and early old age
Prior knowledge of the recall day was not provided to the participants, ensuring that they did not alter their dietary habits in anticipation of the interview. The recall data were subsequently analyzed for nutrient content using the dietary analysis software Nutritionist Pro™ (2007, Axxya Systems, Texas, USA). In the current observational study utilizing Norwegian patient registry data we had no preregistration and can also not draw any conclusion on causality. Our findings indicate that AIP patients have a mortality and morbidity comparable to other AD patients. This is different from patients with DT who have a higher morbidity and mortality.
Availability of data and materials
- Harmonized SNP exposure–outcome datasets and SNPs indicated asoutliers are available in Supplementary Table 2.
- These findings showed that improving any one of these areas (i.e., quitting smoking, getting active, or eating healthier) may reduce your risk of dementia, stroke, and/or late-life depression.
- However, this does limit the interpretation of these results toother ethnic groups.
- The misidentification of former drinkers as life‐time abstainers may therefore explain some of the increased dementia risk in the abstainer group.
We know that alcohol use is negatively related to more than 200 different conditions and diseases 34, 35. Of special note, we even observed a greater SMR for cardiovascular disease, in line with earlier research pointing to heavy alcohol use being a risk factor for this 36. This study reveals that patients with DT experience higher morbidity and mortality rates compared to those with AIP and AD. AIP patients did not show increased all-cause or cause-specific mortality compared to AD patients across a variety of causes. Notably, AIP seemed to be more closely linked to comorbid schizophrenia spectrum disorders than AD and DT patients. The findings underscore the complexities of AIP in relation to schizophrenia and highlight significant differences in health outcomes among the three patient groups.
Post‐hoc sensitivity analyses
Regardless of type of alcohol consumed, the risk of dementia increased linearly, starting around 14 units/week (appendix figure S5). Subsidiary analyses examining potential bias due to differential misclassification of dementia suggested our main findings on the association of alcohol consumption with dementia to be robust (appendix table can alcohol cause dementia S7). The hazard ratio for abstinence compared to consumption of 1–14 drinks per week for developing any kind of dementia was 1.47, after adjusting for confounders (extensive assessment of sociodemographic data and cardiovascular health data). Diagnosis was made through linkage with mental health services data set, mortality register and national hospital episode statistics.