Drink threat to elderly brain health

Thursday July 19th, 2012

Elderly people who indulge in heavy drinking may be damaging their brains, researchers warned yesterday.

People who "binge drink" no more than once a month face an increased risk of loss of memory and mental faculties, according to the study from the Peninsula Medical School, Devon, UK.

Researchers studied the fate of more than 5,000 people over the age of 65 involved in a retirement study in the USA.

They defined binge drinking as consuming just four drinks on one occasion.

Researcher Dr Iain Lang said: "In our group of community-dwelling older adults, binge drinking is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline. That's a real worry because there's a proven link between cognitive decline and risk of dementia.

"This research has a number of implications. First, older people – and their doctors – should be aware that binge drinking may increase their risk of experiencing cognitive decline and encouraged to change their drinking behaviours accordingly.

"Second, policymakers and public health specialists should know that binge drinking is not just a problem among adolescents and younger adults."

The findings were reported to the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2012 in Vancouver, Canada, yesterday.

* The research was published as British MPs were due to set out their views on the government's proposed alcohol strategy today.

The British government has pledged to introduce minimum pricing for alcohol in England - hoping to limit the availability of cheap drink.

Tags: Brain & Neurology | Drug and Alcohol Abuse | Elderly Health | Mental Health | UK News

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