Alcohol consumption and brain health

Alcohol consumption is endemic in our society, and almost 40% of the world’s population drinks alcohol. While we know that very heavy drinking is detrimental to the brain and can lead to dementia, more moderate intakes have been claimed to be protective. However, there were limitations in the way this research was carried out and the results may be spurious.

Using huge databases that contain information on the drinking habits of millions of people in the UK and US, and the largest brain imaging and genetic samples worldwide, I will clarify how alcohol consumption affects the brain. I will examine whether drinking affects a person’s risk of developing dementia, if and where brain structure is affected, and the pathways where damage or protection occurs.

Better understanding of these issues will help to identify interventions and could have a huge public health impact.