- A new study published in Neurology shows an association between heavy drinking and brain lesions that cause memory and thinking problems. Specifically, those who consume more than eight alcoholic drinks per week could have 133% higher odds of developing the injuries, compared to those who never drink, as well as a lifespan that’s 13 years shorter, on average.
- Researchers analyzed 1,781 brains that had been autopsied, while family members filled out questionnaires about the participant’s alcohol use.
- The researchers did note, however, that the study faced several limitations and that it shows an association between drinking and brain lesions, without proving a definitive link.
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If you drink more than eight alcoholic drinks per week, you might have a 133% higher chance of developing memory and thinking problems, as well as a lifespan that’s 13 years shorter, compared to those who never drank. That’s according to a new study published online in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Researchers at the University of Sao Paulo Medical School in Brazil analyzed 1,781 brains that had been autopsied. The average age was 75 at the time of death. Family members were also asked to fill out a questionnaire about the deceased’s alcohol consumption.
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Looking at the effects of alcohol on a brain over time
What they found is that heavy drinkers, quantified as those who consumed eight or more alcoholic drinks per week, had an increased risk of developing brain lesions called hyaline arteriolosclerosis, an injury that’s associated with memory and thinking problems. Essentially, hyaline arteriolosclerosis causes small blood vessels to constrict, which can restrict blood flow and damage the brain over time.
Of the 1,781 participants, 965 never drank, 319 were classified as moderate drinks who had seven or fewer drinks per week, 129 were dubbed heavy drinkers –– eight or more –– and 368 fell into the former heavy drinker category. One drink was defined as having 14 grams of alcohol, equivalent to roughly 350 milliliters of beer, 150 milliliters of wine or 45 milliliters of distilled spirits.
“We looked at how alcohol affects the brain as people get older,” said study author Dr. Alberto Fernando Oliveira Justo. “Our research shows that heavy alcohol consumption is damaging to the brain, which can lead to memory and thinking problems.”
What were the study’s findings?
When the autopsies were performed, 40% of the never-drinkers had brain lesions, as well as 45% of moderate drinkers, 44% of heavy drinkers and 50% of former heavy drinkers. However, after adjusting for variables such as age at death, smoking and physical activity, the odds of developing vascular brain lesions were revealed to be 133% higher in heavy drinkers, compared to those who never drank. Those who were formerly heavy drinkers showed 89% higher odds, and those who were moderate drinkers, 60%.
The study also found that heavy drinkers, on average, could have a lifespan that’s 13 years shorter than those who never drank.
Were there any limitations?
The researchers did note, however, that study limitations included analyzing the participants prior to death, as well as information about how long a participant consumed alcohol and their cognitive abilities throughout life. Likewise, while the study shows an association between drinking and brain injury, it does not prove a definitive link, as noted by the researchers.
“We found heavy drinking is directly linked to signs of injury in the brain, and this can cause long-term effects on brain health, which may impact memory and thinking abilities,” said Justo. “Understanding these effects is crucial for public health awareness and continuing to implement preventive measures to reduce heavy drinking.”
