Alcohol in moderation, premorbid intelligence and cognition In Older Adults: results from the Psychiatric Morbidity SurveyJ Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. Published Online First: 19 July 2009
To test the hypothesis that the association previously reported between moderate alcohol use and better cognition, is an artefact of confounding by (a) higher premorbid education and socioeconomic status; (b) a lifestyle of moderation (using smoking as a risk marker); and (c) decreased alcohol consumption in people with physical illnesses.
In people who were not problem drinkers, higher alcohol intake was not associated with improved current cognition after controlling for premorbid intelligence and physical health. Our findings suggest that, despite previous suggestions, moderate alcohol consumption does not protect older people from cognitive decline.
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