Alcohol consumption is generally considered a risk factor for dementia, although there are some inconsistencies which may depend upon age, gender, amounts consumed, and numerous other genetic and environmental factors. Indications that alcohol can worsen or accelerate dementia may contribute to the risk or progression AD; however, those studies do not address if alcohol specifically modifies AD pathogenesis. Analysis of 125 brain autopsy samples showed that, as expected, higher Aβ immunoreactivity (Aβ-IR) was associated with increased age and ApoE4 allele [82]. However, Aβ-IR was significantly inversely associated with beer drinking with an odds ratio close to 0.35, although the significance was reduced when stratified for age and ApoE4 [82]. Epidemiological studies report a reduction in AD prevalence due to low alcohol ingestion, and protective effects in those having moderate consumption [30]. Similarly, a prospective study of over 3000 subjects over 3 years found that light to moderate alcohol consumption reduced the risk of overall dementia by about 30% [83]. In contrast, a recent review of the literature to determine if alcohol consumption is a risk factor for AD concluded that
