Alzheimer's Society comments on the suggestion of a 'silent epidemic' of alcohol related dementia in the UK

'Binge drinkers hitting the town on a Saturday night are becoming a familiar sight, but we don't yet understand how it will affect the numbers of people with dementia. As drinking habits change, it is vital we understand more about the relationship between alcohol and this devastating condition.

Previous research has focused on alcohol dependent people, who are at an increased risk of dementia because they become malnourished for long periods of time. In contrast, binge drinkers drink heavily at certain times but may still eat well and therefore do not have the same type of risk.

One in three people over 65 will die with dementia. We desperately need new research into the long-term effects of all types of alcohol consumption - from people who drink more than a few glasses of wine each night to binge drinkers.'

Dr Susanne Sorensen
Head of Research  
Alzheimer's Society

Reference

Gupta S and Warner J (2008), Alcohol-related dementia: a 21st-century silent epidemic?, British Journal of Psychiatry, 193: 351-353