Citation

Wright CB, Elkind MS, Luo X, Paik MC, Sacco RL. Neuroepidemiology 2006; 27(4): 201-207.

Affiliation

Division of Stroke and Critical Care, Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, N.Y., USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Karger Publishers)

DOI

10.1159/000096300

PMID

17047373

PMCID

PMC1756459

Abstract

Background: Moderate alcohol intake may slow cognitive decline, and both vascular and neurodegenerative mechanisms have been implicated. Methods: We examined reported alcohol intake and cognitive decline in a community-based cohort of Hispanic, black and white individuals (n = 1,428). The role of the apolipoprotein E epsilon4 (APOE4) allele as a modifier was also studied. Results and Conclusions: Reported drinking was as follows: 300 participants (21%) were 'never' drinkers, 622 (44%) 'past' drinkers, 145 (10%) reported taking less than 1 drink weekly, 330 (23%) 1 drink weekly up to 2 daily and 31 (2%) more than 2 drinks daily. A positive relationship was seen between reported alcohol intake and cognition. Drinking less than 1 drink a week (p = 0.09), between 1 drink weekly up to 2 drinks daily (p = 0.001) and more than 2 drinks daily (p = 0.003) were associated with less cognitive decline on the modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status compared to never drinkers. This dose-response relationship was not modified by the presence of an APOE4 allele in a subsample.

Language: en