Alcohol’s link to cancer is gaining attention again as the Surgeon General pushes for warning labels, and the CDC notes a rise in norovirus cases in the U.S. Dr. Nicole Saphier discussed these issues on ‘America’s Newsroom.’ A study in the medical journal Neurology, by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), suggests that drinking eight or more alcoholic drinks each week can harm the brain. This amount of alcohol is associated with a higher chance of developing hyaline arteriolosclerosis, a brain lesion that narrows and thickens blood vessels, which can disrupt blood flow and possibly lead to memory and cognitive issues.
The study’s author, Dr. Alberto Fernando Oliveira Justo from the University of Sao Paulo, emphasized the global health risks linked to heavy drinking. By examining brain autopsies of nearly 1,800 individuals averaging 75 years old, researchers sought signs of brain damage. The study found that heavy drinkers had a 133% higher risk of vascular brain lesions compared to non-drinkers, with the risk remaining high at 89% for former heavy drinkers and 60% for moderate drinkers.
Heavy drinking was also linked to the development of tau tangles, protein deposits in the brain often associated with Alzheimer’s. The study defined one drink as 14 grams of alcohol, equivalent to a beer, a small glass of wine, or a shot of spirits. Interestingly, former heavy drinkers showed a decline in cognitive function and a reduction in brain mass relative to body mass, unlike current heavy or moderate drinkers.
Dr. Frances Lee from Mount Sinai Health Systems has highlighted alcohol’s ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, impacting both its addictive and depressive properties. Heavy alcohol use can increase the risk of dementia and exacerbate cognitive decline, often leading to memory issues and behavioral changes like depression.
The study did not evaluate the participants’ health before their death, nor did it provide details on how long they consumed alcohol. Importantly, it only shows an association, not a direct causation, between heavy drinking and brain injury. The São Paulo Research Foundation supported this study, adding to the growing awareness of the risks associated with heavy alcohol consumption.
Understanding these effects is crucial for public health, as emphasized by Justo, to continue implementing preventive measures against excessive drinking. Despite the study’s limitations, the findings offer a significant insight into how alcohol can potentially harm brain health over time.
