Abstract

Introduction: Observational studies have suggested that light-to-moderate alcohol consumption decreases the risk of Alzheimer's disease, but it is unclear if this association is causal. Methods: Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was used to examine whether alcohol consumption, alcohol dependence, or Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) scores were causally associated with the risk of Late-Onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) or Alzheimer's disease age of onset survival (AAOS). Additionally, γ-glutamyltransferase levels were included as a positive control. Results: There was no evidence of a causal association between alcohol consumption, alcohol dependence, or AUDIT, and LOAD. Alcohol consumption was associated with an earlier AAOS and increased γ-glutamyltransferase blood concentrations. Alcohol dependence was associated with a delayed AAOS. Discussion: MR found robust evidence of a causal association between alcohol consumption and an earlier AAOS, but not alcohol intake and LOAD risk. The protective effect of alcohol dependence is potentially due to survivor bias.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)345-353
Number of pages9
JournalAlzheimer's and Dementia
Volume16
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Feb 2020

Keywords

  • Alcohol consumption
  • Alcohol dependence
  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Mendelian randomization

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