Conference Coverage
AHA and ASA Offer Recommendations for Maintaining Brain Health
LOS ANGELES—Modifying cardiovascular risk factors in midlife may help to prevent or delay cognitive impairment, according to an overview presented...
Some Questions Answered, Some Questions Remain
This study fills gaps in knowledge, “but we should remain cautious and not change current recommendations on alcohol use based solely on epidemiologic studies,” said Sevil Yasar, MD, PhD, in a related editorial. Dr. Yasar is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore.
Dr. Yasar called for further studies and, ideally, a government-funded randomized clinical trial with close monitoring of adverse outcomes to answer pressing questions about the possible protective effects of light-to-moderate alcohol use on risk of dementia and about the mediating role of cardiovascular disease. “Alcohol consumption of one to 14 units per week may benefit brain health; however, alcohol choices must take into account all associated risks, including liver disease and cancer.”
Suggested Reading
Sabia S, Fayosse A, Dumurgier J, et al. Alcohol consumption and risk of dementia: 23 year follow-up of Whitehall II cohort study. BMJ. 2018;362:k2927.
Yasar S. Relation between alcohol consumption in midlife and dementia in late life. BMJ. 2018;362:k3164.