Alcohol abuse and dependence are associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia. For instance, 78% of adults in their upper 70s with a history of alcohol abuse showed both cognitive impairment and increased rates of multiple forms of dementia as compared to age-matched individuals with no history of alcohol abuse (Thomas & Rockwood, 2001). In general, heavy alcohol use is associated with dementia in older populations (e.g., Mukamal et al., 2001; Truelsen, Thudium, Gronbaek, & Copenhagen City Heart Study, 2002), whereas light to moderate drinking appears to have no impact or may be protective (Ruitenberg et al., 2002).
