OBJECTIVES
Alcohol misuse is known to be a risk factor for dementia. This study aimed to explore the association
between risky drinking and cognitive impairment in a cohort study of middle aged and older people at
risk of dementia.
METHOD
The sample comprised 15,582 people aged 50 and over drawn from the PROTECT study. Risky
drinking ...
OBJECTIVES
Alcohol misuse is known to be a risk factor for dementia. This study aimed to explore the association
between risky drinking and cognitive impairment in a cohort study of middle aged and older people at
risk of dementia.
METHOD
The sample comprised 15,582 people aged 50 and over drawn from the PROTECT study. Risky
drinking was defined according to a score of 4 or above on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification
Test (AUDIT). Cognitive function was assessed on visual episodic memory, spatial working memory,
verbal working memory and verbal reasoning.
RESULTS
Risky drinkers at baseline were more likely to be younger, male, white British, married, of higher
educational status, current or past tobacco smokers and to have moderate to severe depression than nonrisky drinkers. Risky drinkers were also more likely to be impaired on self-reported instrumental
activities of daily living and subjective cognitive decline. At baseline, risky drinkers were less likely
than non-risky drinkers to show impairment on verbal reasoning and spatial working memory but not on
visual episodic memory or verbal working memory. Risky drinking at baseline predicted decline in
cognitive function on visual episodic memory, verbal reasoning and spatial working memory at 2 year
follow up, but only verbal working memory and spatial working memory remained significant
outcomes after controlling for possible confounders.
CONCLUSION
Although of small effect size, the association between risky drinking and impairment on measures of
working memory and visuospatial function warrants further examination; particularly given the
possibility of partial reversibility in alcohol related cognitive impairment.