Is the freedom from Cognitive Impairment really at hand? An investigation between alcohol consumption and cognitive change Dorina Cadar, Dr Gita Mishra & Dr Marcus Richards UCL-MRC Lifelong Health and Ageing PhD Project 2009-2012 Epidemiology and Public Health Results 0.+ 2.5 + 3.5 10+ Figure 1 Conclusions Background 1 Patterns of drinking were similar over different regions in UK. Binge drinking (more than 10 units/ day) represents 2% of consumption in Scotland, North England & South East England and 1% in Wales and Midlands The percentages of non-drinkers were larger in every region-Figure 1. Units per day It is estimated that more than 1.7 million people will be affected by dementia by 2051 Cognitive decline represents one of the first signs of dementia with a conversion rate average of 10% per year. 1 in 8 people over 65 experience cognitive decline, adding severe emotional, financial and logistical strains on the individual, its family and entire society. There was a similar rate of cognitive decline in both memory and psychomotor function, in middle life. There was no significant relationship between the overall alcohol consumption at age 36 and 43 with cognitive decline between 43 to 53 years. However, detailed examinations of the effect of alcohol beverages on cognitive function revealed a significant increase of cognitive scores with wine, sherry and spirits, and a significant decrease in both verbal memory and psychomotor function associated with beer. These effects were attenuated when education or social class were taken into account. The rate of cognitive decline varies with social class and level of drinking. Higher rate of cognitive decline correspond to heavy/ binge drinkers and non drinkers in manual occupation comparative to those in non-manual occupations- Figure 2. Figure 2 -.15 -.1 -.05 Mean of cognitive decline Manual Non-manual Binge drinkers Heavy drinkers Moderate drinkers Light drinkers Non-drinkers Figure 3 Wine, sherry and spirits drinkers experienced an increase in verbal memory, while beer drinkers a decrease. Verbal memory in middle life by alcohol consumption at age 36 25.5 25 Aim To investigate the effect of alcohol consumption during adult life on cognitive decline in middle life 24 23.5 Light and moderate drinkers (0-3.5 units/day) scored higher in verbal memory at both 43 and 53 compared to heavy drinkers (3.5u+) and non-drinkers- Figure 3. 23 40 45 50 55 Age Non drinkers Light drinkers Moderate drinkers Heavy drinkers Methods & Materials Outcomes: Cognitive tests At 43 & 53 years were repeated measures of verbal memory and psychomotor function. Verbal memory was assessed by a 15 item word learning task Speed and concentration was measured with a timed visual search task Exposures: At 36 & 43 years information on types of alcohol beverage consumed were collected from the 5 days diet diaries The measures were transformed in units equivalent of 8g of alcohol and daily averages of drinks in units was considered in this analysis Confounders: Educational attainment by 26 years; current social class, general cognitive ability at age 8 Design A Birth Cohort study Participants A nationally representative sample of 5362 participants from the 1946 Birth Cohort Study also known as Medical Research Council -National Survey of Health and Development (MRC -NSHD) Method A rich amount of health cognitive, social and psychological function data were repeatedly obtained by interviews, clinical examinations and postal questionnaires Statistics Multiple regression analyses with change in cognitive function as outcome and alcohol intake at age 36 and 43 as exposure variables. Analyses were adjusted for sex and confounders. Contact: Dorina Cadar Email: dorina.cadar.09@ucl.ac.uk