Latest news with #Neurology
Courier-Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Courier-Mail
New study reveals dementia risk linked to surprisingly low alcohol intake
Don't miss out on the headlines from Illness. Followed categories will be added to My News. A new study published in the journal Neurology has found that drinking alcohol, even in relatively moderate amounts, significantly increases the risk of dementia and other serious health conditions. The research, conducted in Brazil, analysed data from autopsies of 1781 people, shedding light on the long-term effects of alcohol on brain health. Subjects were grouped into four categories: those who never drank, moderate drinkers (who consumed up to seven standard drinks per week), heavy drinkers (who had eight or more standard drinks per week), and former heavy drinkers who had not drunk for at least three months but had a history of heavy drinking. In the study, a standard drink was defined as 14 grams of alcohol, roughly equivalent to a 350ml glass of beer or 147ml of wine, according to Psychology Today. While drinking habits were reported by relatives, which may not always be entirely accurate, the overall findings still proved the link between drinking and cognitive decline. Drinking a moderate amount of alcohol has been shown to increase the risk of dementia. Picture: iStock Alcohol linked to dementia Interestingly, the amount of alcohol that can impair brain function is lower than many people might expect. The study defines 'heavy' drinking as eight or more drinks per week, but this is a level many would consider moderate. It would be the same as having a beer or a glass of wine each week night, plus two on the weekend. But the results showed that those who consumed up to seven or more than eight drinks per week faced a higher risk of brain injuries associated with memory loss and dementia. Up to seven or more than eight drinks was linked to cognitive decline, memory loss and dementia. Picture: iStock Heavy drinkers in the study had a 133 per cent higher risk of developing hyaline arteriolosclerosis, a condition involving the thickening and hardening of arteries. This process restricts blood flow to the brain and can result in tiny, often unnoticed strokes that damage memory and increase the risk of dementia. Former heavy drinkers, even after abstaining for three months or more, were still 89 per cent more likely to develop this condition compared to those who never drank. Meanwhile, moderate drinkers faced a 60 per cent increased risk, proving that even lower levels of alcohol consumption were harmful. Even former heavy drinkers were at risk of serious health issues. Picture: iStock Other health impacts Beyond artery damage, heavy drinkers and former heavy drinkers were also more likely to develop neurofibrillary tangles, which are protein formations in the brain strongly associated with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Heavy drinkers were 41 per cent more likely to have these tangles, while former heavy drinkers were 31 per cent more likely. Even after stopping drinking, former drinkers remain at a higher risk of dementia, which is a harsh reminder that the effects of alcohol can linger long after the last drink. In saying that, it's never too late to begin to make healthier lifestyle choices and re-evaluate your alcohol consumption. Alcohol and Drug Addiction Helplines If you or someone you know needs help with alcohol or drug addiction: DIRECTLINE: 1800 888 236 LIFELINE: 13 11 14 KIDS HELPLINE: 1800 55 1800 NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS AUSTRALIA: 1300 652 820 SELF HELP ADDICTION RESOURCE CENTRE (SHARC): 1300 660 068 Australian implications Interestingly, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Australian Alcohol Guidelines recommend that adults should drink no more than 10 standard drinks per week to reduce the risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury. This is particularly worrying because this new research found increased dementia risks even at levels of drinking well below the current NHMRC guideline. What's even more concerning is that one in four Australian adults exceed this guideline, with men more likely to do so than women. Among young adults aged 18 to 24, more than one in three go over the recommended limit. Originally published as New study reveals dementia risk linked to surprisingly low alcohol intake
Daily Telegraph
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Telegraph
New study reveals dementia risk linked to surprisingly low alcohol intake
Don't miss out on the headlines from Illness. Followed categories will be added to My News. A new study published in the journal Neurology has found that drinking alcohol, even in relatively moderate amounts, significantly increases the risk of dementia and other serious health conditions. The research, conducted in Brazil, analysed data from autopsies of 1781 people, shedding light on the long-term effects of alcohol on brain health. Subjects were grouped into four categories: those who never drank, moderate drinkers (who consumed up to seven standard drinks per week), heavy drinkers (who had eight or more standard drinks per week), and former heavy drinkers who had not drunk for at least three months but had a history of heavy drinking. In the study, a standard drink was defined as 14 grams of alcohol, roughly equivalent to a 350ml glass of beer or 147ml of wine, according to Psychology Today. While drinking habits were reported by relatives, which may not always be entirely accurate, the overall findings still proved the link between drinking and cognitive decline. Drinking a moderate amount of alcohol has been shown to increase the risk of dementia. Picture: iStock Alcohol linked to dementia Interestingly, the amount of alcohol that can impair brain function is lower than many people might expect. The study defines 'heavy' drinking as eight or more drinks per week, but this is a level many would consider moderate. It would be the same as having a beer or a glass of wine each week night, plus two on the weekend. But the results showed that those who consumed up to seven or more than eight drinks per week faced a higher risk of brain injuries associated with memory loss and dementia. Up to seven or more than eight drinks was linked to cognitive decline, memory loss and dementia. Picture: iStock Heavy drinkers in the study had a 133 per cent higher risk of developing hyaline arteriolosclerosis, a condition involving the thickening and hardening of arteries. This process restricts blood flow to the brain and can result in tiny, often unnoticed strokes that damage memory and increase the risk of dementia. Former heavy drinkers, even after abstaining for three months or more, were still 89 per cent more likely to develop this condition compared to those who never drank. Meanwhile, moderate drinkers faced a 60 per cent increased risk, proving that even lower levels of alcohol consumption were harmful. Even former heavy drinkers were at risk of serious health issues. Picture: iStock Other health impacts Beyond artery damage, heavy drinkers and former heavy drinkers were also more likely to develop neurofibrillary tangles, which are protein formations in the brain strongly associated with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Heavy drinkers were 41 per cent more likely to have these tangles, while former heavy drinkers were 31 per cent more likely. Even after stopping drinking, former drinkers remain at a higher risk of dementia, which is a harsh reminder that the effects of alcohol can linger long after the last drink. In saying that, it's never too late to begin to make healthier lifestyle choices and re-evaluate your alcohol consumption. Australian implications Interestingly, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Australian Alcohol Guidelines recommend that adults should drink no more than 10 standard drinks per week to reduce the risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury. This is particularly worrying because this new research found increased dementia risks even at levels of drinking well below the current NHMRC guideline. What's even more concerning is that one in four Australian adults exceed this guideline, with men more likely to do so than women. Among young adults aged 18 to 24, more than one in three go over the recommended limit. Originally published as New study reveals dementia risk linked to surprisingly low alcohol intake
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Health
- News.com.au
New study reveals dementia risk linked to surprisingly low alcohol intake
A new study published in the journal Neurology has found that drinking alcohol, even in relatively moderate amounts, significantly increases the risk of dementia and other serious health conditions. The research, conducted in Brazil, analysed data from autopsies of 1781 people, shedding light on the long-term effects of alcohol on brain health. Subjects were grouped into four categories: those who never drank, moderate drinkers (who consumed up to seven standard drinks per week), heavy drinkers (who had eight or more standard drinks per week), and former heavy drinkers who had not drunk for at least three months but had a history of heavy drinking. In the study, a standard drink was defined as 14 grams of alcohol, roughly equivalent to a 350ml glass of beer or 147ml of wine, according to Psychology Today. While drinking habits were reported by relatives, which may not always be entirely accurate, the overall findings still proved the link between drinking and cognitive decline. Alcohol linked to dementia Interestingly, the amount of alcohol that can impair brain function is lower than many people might expect. The study defines 'heavy' drinking as eight or more drinks per week, but this is a level many would consider moderate. It would be the same as having a beer or a glass of wine each week night, plus two on the weekend. But the results showed that those who consumed up to seven or more than eight drinks per week faced a higher risk of brain injuries associated with memory loss and dementia. Heavy drinkers in the study had a 133 per cent higher risk of developing hyaline arteriolosclerosis, a condition involving the thickening and hardening of arteries. This process restricts blood flow to the brain and can result in tiny, often unnoticed strokes that damage memory and increase the risk of dementia. Former heavy drinkers, even after abstaining for three months or more, were still 89 per cent more likely to develop this condition compared to those who never drank. Meanwhile, moderate drinkers faced a 60 per cent increased risk, proving that even lower levels of alcohol consumption were harmful. Other health impacts Beyond artery damage, heavy drinkers and former heavy drinkers were also more likely to develop neurofibrillary tangles, which are protein formations in the brain strongly associated with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Heavy drinkers were 41 per cent more likely to have these tangles, while former heavy drinkers were 31 per cent more likely. Even after stopping drinking, former drinkers remain at a higher risk of dementia, which is a harsh reminder that the effects of alcohol can linger long after the last drink. In saying that, it's never too late to begin to make healthier lifestyle choices and re-evaluate your alcohol consumption. Australian implications Interestingly, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Australian Alcohol Guidelines recommend that adults should drink no more than 10 standard drinks per week to reduce the risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury. This is particularly worrying because this new research found increased dementia risks even at levels of drinking well below the current NHMRC guideline. What's even more concerning is that one in four Australian adults exceed this guideline, with men more likely to do so than women. Among young adults aged 18 to 24, more than one in three go over the recommended limit.
Washington Post
15-06-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
Genetic variant tied to doubled dementia risk for older men
A common genetic variant is linked to a doubled dementia risk for older men, a recent analysis in Neurology suggests. The study used data from Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE), which followed elderly patients in the United States and Australia with no history of cardiovascular disease, dementia or cognitive decline between 2010 and 2017.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Accelerated biological aging may increase risk of dementia, stroke
A hallmark of accelerated aging appears to be linked to an increased risk of dementia and stroke, a new study says. Shorter telomere length in a person's white blood cells is associated with the two brain diseases, researchers reported Wednesday in the journal Neurology. However, the link was not found in people with healthy lifestyle habits, researchers added. "Our findings support the potential benefits of working to improve your risk factors such as maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol and getting enough sleep and exercise in reducing the risk of age-related brain disease even in people who are already showing signs of damaging biological aging," senior researcher Dr. Christopher Anderson, an associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, said in a news release. Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. Often compared to the plastic tips at the ends of shoelaces, telomeres serve a similar function -- preventing chromosomes from unravelling. Telomeres shorten every time cells divide, making them useful in estimating a person's biological age, researchers said. Biological age reflects wear-and-tear from the stresses the body endures over time, and can differ greatly from the chronological age reflected by a person's birthday. For this study, researchers analyzed genetic data for more than 356,000 people participating in UK Biobank, a large-scale health study in England, Scotland and Wales. Researchers divided the participants into three groups based on whether telomeres in their white blood cells (leukocytes) were short, medium or long. The team then compared telomere length to each person's lifestyle habits, as well as whether they'd developed dementia, stroke or depression. During an average seven years of follow-up, nearly 26,000 people developed at least one of these three age-related brain diseases. People with the shortest telomeres had 5.8 cases of the three brain diseases per 1,000 person-years, compared to 3.9 cases per 1,000 for those with the longest telomeres. Person-years reflect both the number of people in a study and the amount of time each person spends in a study. Overall, people with short telomeres were 11% more likely to develop one of the brain diseases, after accounting for other risk factors, results show. They specifically had an 8% increased risk of stroke, 19% increased risk of dementia, and 14% increased risk of late-life dementia, the study says. However, people with short telomeres didn't have an increased risk if they made healthier lifestyle choices, like eating a good diet and exercising regularly, researchers found. "These results suggest that healthy lifestyle behaviors could delay the aging of our cells and reduce the frequency of these diseases, especially in people who are greater risk," Anderson said. Researchers noted that the study can't show a direct cause-and-effect link between telomere length and brain health, only an association between the two. More information The University of Utah has more about telomeres and biological aging. Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
