Skip Navigation


Alcohol and Alcoholism Advance Access originally published online on December 6, 2004
Alcohol and Alcoholism 2005 40(2):112-117; doi:10.1093/alcalc/agh126
This Article
Right arrow Full Text Freely available
Right arrow FREE Full Text (PDF) Freely available
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
40/2/112    most recent
agh126v1
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Search for citing articles in:
ISI Web of Science (5)
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by RICHARDS, M.
Right arrow Articles by WADSWORTH, M. E. J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by RICHARDS, M.
Right arrow Articles by WADSWORTH, M. E. J.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?


Alcohol & Alcoholism Vol. 40, No. 2 © Medical Council on Alcohol 2005; all rights reserved

ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AND MIDLIFE COGNITIVE CHANGE IN THE BRITISH 1946 BIRTH COHORT STUDY

MARCUS RICHARDS*, REBECCA HARDY and MICHAEL E. J. WADSWORTH

MRC National Survey of Health and Development, University College London, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, London WC1E 6BT, UK

* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed at: MRC National Survey of Health and Development, University College London, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, London WC1E 6BT, UK. Tel: +44(0)207 679 1737; E-mail: m.richards{at}ucl.ac.uk

(Received 9 July 2004; first review notified 31 August 2004; in revised form 29 October 2004; accepted 30 October 2004)

Aims: Cross-sectional studies suggest that alcohol consumption benefits cognitive function. However, more longitudinal studies are required to confirm that alcohol has an effect on cognitive change and to rule out the possibility that those of higher ability engage in a lifestyle that protects against cognitive decline. Methods: We investigated the association between self-reported alcohol consumption and change in memory, speed and concentration in midlife, in 903 men and 861 women enrolled in the MRC National Survey of Health and Development (the British 1946 birth cohort). Results: After controlling for educational attainment, occupational social class and general cognitive ability, it was found that alcohol consumption was associated with a slower memory decline from 43 to 53 years in men, but a more rapid decline in visual search speed for the same interval in women. These effects were not explained by a further control for health status (body water weight, smoking, exercise, cardio-respiratory disease and affective state). Conclusions: Our data suggest that alcohol consumption is associated with a slower memory decline. However, the negative association between alcohol and psychomotor function in women is a potential cause for concern.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J. Epidemiol. Community HealthHome page
B J M H Jefferis, O Manor, and C Power
Cognitive development in childhood and drinking behaviour over two decades in adulthood
J. Epidemiol. Community Health, June 1, 2008; 62(6): 506 - 512.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 StrokeHome page
C. B. Wright, M. S.V. Elkind, T. Rundek, B. Boden-Albala, M. C. Paik, and R. L. Sacco
Alcohol Intake, Carotid Plaque, and Cognition: The Northern Manhattan Study
Stroke, May 1, 2006; 37(5): 1160 - 1164.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Disclaimer:
Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.