Moderate Alcohol Intake May Protect Against Cognitive Decline In Older Women

Main Category: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Also Included In: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 22 Dec 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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A study appearing in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society consisting of nearly 6,000 people aged 70 to 82 in Ireland, the Netherlands and Scotland concluded that drinking low to moderate amounts of alcohol may delay cognitive decline in older women. However, these same benefits were not seen in men of the same age group.

Over the 3.2 year follow-up period, cognitive performance was better for female drinkers than nondrinkers. The results for men remained constant or had no significant effects. Most of the women in the study who had positive results consumed less than ten units of alcohol per week.

The study, conducted by David J. Stott of the University of Glasgow, used the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) as the method for assessment of general cognitive impairment. According to the findings, the benefits of alcohol consumption for women include overall cognition, speed of information processing and verbal memory.

Several potential biological mechanisms by which low to moderate alcohol consumption might protect against cognitive decline are mentioned in the study. Such mechanisms include the alterations in lipids, lower fibrinogen levels and inhibition of blood clots that may reduce the risk of stroke.

To view the abstract for this article, please click here.

David J. Stott is a professor and the David Cargill Chair of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Glasgow. He can be reached for questions at d.j.stott@clinmed.gla.ac.uk.

The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society is a comprehensive and reliable source of monthly research and information about common diseases and disorders of older adults. For more information, please visit http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/jgs.

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