One to two drinks a day may reduce Alzheimer risk

WASHINGTON, Jul. 10 (Reuters Health) - Regular, moderate alcohol intake--one or two drinks a day--appears to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, according to investigators from the MIRAGE study. The team's findings were presented at the World Alzheimer Congress 2000 meeting here.

The MIRAGE investigators assessed the effect of both cigarette smoking and alcohol intake by comparing 238 patients with Alzheimer's disease to a group of individuals from the Framingham study matched for age and gender. The Framingham study is a long-term, community-based health study, which is taking place in Framingham, Massachusetts.

Dr. Lindsay A. Farrer of Boston University presented the findings during a poster session at the Alzheimer meeting. In an interview with Reuters Health, Farrer said, "Men and women who drink one to two drinks a day had a significantly lower risk of (Alzheimer's disease) compared to nondrinkers." The investigators reported that compared with nondrinkers, persons drinking more than one to two drinks a day had about a 30% lower risk, while those who drank less than one or two drinks a day had about a 50% lower risk.

"From a public health standpoint, it would be premature to recommend a drink or two as a preventive measure until we see more results," Farrer said. He noted that the USDA guidelines currently recommend one or two drinks a day, if there are no contraindications. "This is a modest level of consumption and in terms of heart disease, this consumption has been associated with a beneficial effect."

The investigators conclude that more studies are needed "to more precisely define the minimal level and duration of exposure (to alcohol) necessary to realise a benefit."