Alcohol and Dementia

Natalie Zahr, PhD, works at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine.  She is a scientist who studies the effects of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in humans (and rodents). 

More specifically, Zahr studies what happens to the brain when it has to handle chronic alcohol use. I have mentioned her review a few weeks ago in the Article on alcohol and the gut-brain-liver axis. 

The purpose of her review (Zahr, 2024) was to establish an association between alcohol use disorder (a traditional term is alcoholism) and dementia. With Alzheimer's, even with abstinence the brain continues to deteriorate, whereas with dementia, brain damage can be reversed.

What I appreciate about this article is the meticulous research into the misuse of alcohol and what happens to the brain. Dementia with AUD can start at a younger age of 45 and usually it slowly progresses. 

How much is too much alcohol? A moderate drinker consumes between 1-14 alcohol units per week, while a heavy drinker consumes more than 14 alcohol units per week. The risk of developing dementia increases 1.2 folds with 14+ drinks a week (Zahr, 2024). 

Zahr discusses Neuropsychological profiles, Epidemiological findings, postmortem neuropathy, neuroimaging biomarkers, blood biomarkers and more. it is well worth the time to read! 

I do want to emphasize that scientists are discussing the connection of gut-brain-liver (Wolstenholme et al., 2024), which means we do have, nutritionally speaking, the ability to help our body detox, regenerate, and reverse damage caused by alcohol. 

And of course, an occasional drink is always welcomed. 

Enjoy Zhar's (2024) Article

Yours,

Dohrea  

References

• Wolstenholme, J. T., Duong, N. K., Brocato, E. R., & Bajaj, J. S. (2024). Gut-liver-brain axis and alcohol use disorder: treatment potential of fecal microbiota transplantation. Alcohol Research: Current Reviews, 44(1), 01.
• Zahr, N. M. (2024). Alcohol use disorder and dementia: a review. Alcohol research: current reviews, 44(1), 03.