A US study found men and women in their 50s and 60s with a history of alcohol abuse were more likely to have memory problems up to two decades later.

 

The study, in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry¹, adds to growing evidence that excessive drinking can impair² mental processing later.

 

Researchers say it is a public health issue that needs to be addressed.

 

Scientists questioned 6,500 US middle-aged³ adults about their past alcohol consumption.

 

They were asked three specific questions:

 

Those who answered yes to one of these questions were considered to have a problem with alcohol.

 

They had more than double the risk of developing severe memory impairment, the study found.

 

"We know that alcohol is bad for the brain in general, but it's not just how much you drink but how it affects you," lead researcher, Dr Iain Lang, from the University of Exeter Medical School, told the BBC.

 

"The amount that you drink is important - what is also important is if you experience any problems in your drinking or if other people tell you you have a problem."

 

He advised drinking within recommended daily and weekly amounts and to cut down if affected⁴ by any of the items in the questionnaire, as this could increase dementia risk.

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