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Alcohol use disorder largest risk factor for dementia

sciencedaily.com

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Re: Alcohol use disorder largest risk factor for dementia

#41

Post by ch4s3 »

wheels wrote: post #31

This is specifically for "heavy drinking". In case folks are wondering how that's defined (per the study, computed based on volume of 60 g of ethanol), it's: - 1.5 L of beer (at 5% ABV) - 0.5 L of wine (at 14% ABV)

For reference that's 2/3 of a standard bottle of wine, or a little more if you drink white wine. And that would be a boot of german beer, or 3 1/3 pints of pale ale or lager.

Re: Alcohol use disorder largest risk factor for dementia

#42

Post by Steve44 »

teamhappy wrote: post #14
batty_alex wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's defined in the article. Around 4-5 standard drinks a day for Men or 3 for Women. Which is quite a bit of drinking.

Where 1 "Canadian standard drink" is 1 bottle of beer, 1 glass of wine or 1 shot of liquor. Source: http://www.rethinkyourdrinking.ca/what-is-a-standard-drink/

That shot size is 43ml so 5 shots totals 215ml of 40% spirits. In the UK a single is 25ml so it's equivalent of 8.6 'singles' / 4.3 'doubles'.

Re: Alcohol use disorder largest risk factor for dementia

#43

Post by hackerman12345 »

bvm wrote: post #34
wheels wrote: post #31

This is specifically for "heavy drinking". In case folks are wondering how that's defined (per the study, computed based on volume of 60 g of ethanol), it's: - 1.5 L of beer (at 5% ABV) - 0.5 L of wine (at 14% ABV)

per day. Every day.

It's hard to believe someone with that habit lives long enough to get dementia.

Re: Alcohol use disorder largest risk factor for dementia

#44

Post by dsego »

SubiculumCode wrote: post #16

Of course, people who drink that much may have other issues that lead to said dementia, and alcohol use was a (poor) self-medication. Then again, that is a lot of alcohol. Bound to have some negative effect.

I know schizophrenia can develop into dementia if not treated. Perhaps depression, anxiety and other mental disorders also result in faster brain deterioration. I've also found studies linking calming pills like xanax and valium to earlier dementia.

Re: Alcohol use disorder largest risk factor for dementia

#45

Post by TJSomething »

wheels wrote: post #31

This is specifically for "heavy drinking". In case folks are wondering how that's defined (per the study, computed based on volume of 60 g of ethanol), it's: - 1.5 L of beer (at 5% ABV) - 0.5 L of wine (at 14% ABV)

And 184 mL (about 6.5 shots total, 1.5 fl oz each) of hard liquor (80% ABV).

Re: Alcohol use disorder largest risk factor for dementia

#46

Post by ideonexus »

mikaraento wrote: post #37
mi100hael wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Most reviews point to a possible beneficial effect of light-to-moderate drinking on cognitive health. Citation needed

Until five years ago the consensus view was that moderate alcohol consumption lowered all-cause mortality compared to non-drinkers. Latest meta-analyses say that after controlling for reasons behind non-drinkers (‘former alcoholics’) the effect disappears. Good starting point is https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/26997174/

Thank you for sharing this research. As someone who abstains from drinking and is very health-conscious, I've been conflicted about all the research supposedly showing health benefits of moderate drinking. The evidence just seemed too intuitive. This gives me something to explore.

Re: Alcohol use disorder largest risk factor for dementia

#47

Post by actuallyalys »

lawnchair_larry wrote: post #18

Getting mixed messages here! Also today: http://www.newsweek.com/drinking-alcohol-tied-long-life-new-...

Not really. The study in Newsweek is about moderate drinking, not disordered drinking. Also there are plenty of confounding factors in that study. If you're healthy in your 90s, you're more likely to be at social events where you drink, for example.

Re: Alcohol use disorder largest risk factor for dementia

#48

Post by teamhappy »

Steve44 wrote: post #42
teamhappy wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Where 1 "Canadian standard drink" is 1 bottle of beer, 1 glass of wine or 1 shot of liquor. Source: http://www.rethinkyourdrinking.ca/what-is-a-standard-drink/

That shot size is 43ml so 5 shots totals 215ml of 40% spirits. In the UK a single is 25ml so it's equivalent of 8.6 'singles' / 4.3 'doubles'.

Didn't see the unit, sorry.

So, 1 standard drink = 1 bottle of beer = 1 reasonable glass of wine = 2 shots of liquor.

Re: Alcohol use disorder largest risk factor for dementia

#50

Post by dsego »

bvm wrote: post #34
wheels wrote: post #31

This is specifically for "heavy drinking". In case folks are wondering how that's defined (per the study, computed based on volume of 60 g of ethanol), it's: - 1.5 L of beer (at 5% ABV) - 0.5 L of wine (at 14% ABV)

per day. Every day.

Not much for chronic alcohol abusers. Especially in countries where people produce their own wine and spirits. Every two-three hours one shot or glass of wine to take the edge off, calm the nerves. The person doesn't even look like an alcoholic, no tremors, just lowered inhibitions and inappropriate behavior. Come age 60 and they are at risk of early onset dementia. The ethanol dissolved the gray matter. Atrophy and enlarged ventricles clearly visible on brain scans.
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