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Moderate alcohol consumption may lower mortality in adults with Alzheimer's disease

Recent findings show moderate alcohol consumption, defined as two to three units per day, was associated with lower mortality among adults with mild Alzheimer’s disease.

“It has been argued that social drinking may be harmful for patients with [Alzheimer’s disease]; however, we have not been able to identify any studies on the association between alcohol consumption and mortality in patients diagnosed with dementia. Considering that [Alzheimer’s disease] is a neurodegenerative disorder and that alcohol has known neurotoxic effects, one could easily jump to the conclusion that alcohol is damaging for patients with [Alzheimer’s disease],” researchers from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, wrote.

To assess associations between alcohol consumption and mortality in Alzheimer’s disease, researchers evaluated 321 individuals recently diagnosed with mild Alzheimer’s disease.

Overall, 8% of participants were abstinent, 71% had alcohol occasionally, 17% had two to three units per day, and 4% had more than three units per day.

When adjusting for potential confounders, participants with moderate alcohol consumption (ie, two to three units per day) had lower mortality (HR = 0.23; 95% CI, 0.08-0.69), compared with participants who consumed one or less than one unit per day.

Mortality did not significantly differ between participants who were abstinent or who consumed more than three units per day, compared with participants who consumed one or less than one unit per day.

“The results of our study point towards a potential, positive association of moderate alcohol consumption on mortality in patients with [Alzheimer’s disease]. However, we cannot solely on the basis of this study neither encourage nor advise against moderate alcohol consumption in patients with [Alzheimer’s disease],” the researchers concluded. – by Amanda Oldt

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.