Alcohol consumers have been issued a warning as new research shows heavy alcohol intake increases the risk of brain damage by 133 per cent.
A new study published in Neurology has revealed that moderate, heavy, and former heavy drinkers all showed an increased risk of hyaline arteriolosclerosis, and thickening and narrowing of blood vessels.
Heavy and former heavy drinkers also showed an increased risk of neurofibrillary tangles associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
The cross-sectional population-based autopsy study was conducted in Brazil and examined the brains of 1,781 participants from the Sao Paulo Autopsy Service.
Drinking may cause brain damage through hyaline arteriosclerosis
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Researchers categorised participants into groups based on alcohol consumption: never drinkers, moderate drinkers (up to 7 doses weekly), heavy drinkers (8 or more doses weekly), and former heavy drinkers.
The average age of participants was around 75 years old, with an ethnically diverse sample.
The results showed that heavy drinkers faced a 133 per cent increased risk for hyaline arteriolosclerosis compared to non-drinkers.
Researchers found that alcohol consumption did not directly affect cognitive abilities, but rather the association was mediated by hyaline arteriolosclerosis.
Former heavy drinkers had lower brain weights and slightly higher clinical dementia rating scores, indicating worse cognitive function.
Dr Haris Kamal, a neurologist at Memorial Hermann, noted: “This study demonstrates that moderate to heavy alcohol use or even a history of prior heavy alcohol use is associated with more arteriosclerosis in the smallest arteries in the brain.
“Such a progressive thickening of the arterial walls and increased deposition of neurofibrillary tangles of tau protein can lead to cognitive impairment including dementia.”
The research does have limitations, including reliance on family members for information about participants’ drinking habits. Researchers also lacked longitudinal follow-up data, such as how long participants had been consuming alcohol.
Even a history of prior heavy alcohol use is associated with more arteriosclerosis in the brain
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The study’s cross-sectional nature means it cannot establish causality or examine the long-term effects of heavy drinking.
Vitamin deficiencies, which could amplify cognitive decline, were not examined in participants.
Study author Alberto Justo, a researcher at the University of São Paulo Medical School, told Medical News Today: “Future research should focus on cohort studies to better understand the causal relationships between alcohol consumption and brain changes over time.
“This research will help clarify how different levels and durations of alcohol intake affect cognitive health.”
