Problem Drinking in Midlife Increases Risk of Dementia Later in Life

A new study suggests that middle-aged adults with a history of problem drinking are twice more likely to suffer from memory deficits later in life.

The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Exeter Medical School. It states that alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are linked to dementia risk in old age.

"We already know there is an association between dementia risk and levels of current alcohol consumption - that understanding is based on asking older people how much they drink and then observing whether they develop problems," said Dr Iain Lang, one of the study authors.

"But, this is only one part of the puzzle and we know little about the consequences of alcohol consumption earlier in life. What we did here is investigate the relatively unknown association between having a drinking problem at any point in life and experiencing problems with memory later in life," Lang said in a news release.

The study was based on data from 6542 middle-aged adults born between 1931 and 1941. The participants were enrolled in the Health and Retirement Study in the U.S.

In the study, CAGE (cut down, annoyed, guilty, eye-opener) questionnaire was used to identify problem drinking. Participants were first assessed in 1992 and then every other year from 1996 to 2010

Researchers found that people with AUD were twice as likely to suffer from memory problems later in life as compared to other participants.

According to the study authors, the research finding doesn't mean that people should stop drinking alcohol altogether. Research has shown that moderate amounts of alcohol along with good diet and a healthy lifestyle can cut the risk of heart disease.

The study is published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.