Alcohol in Teens Can Put You At Risk of Dementia

A study carried out by Swedish researchers has identified nine risk factors which are believed to be linked to Early Onset Dementia (EOD), many of which occur in adolescence.

The study, carried out on around 500,000 Swedish males, identified alcohol intoxication, in the teenage years, as the most serious of the nine factors outlined. Other factors identified in the study included the use of anti-psychotic drugs, stroke, father’s dementia, poor cognitive function, low height and high blood pressure.

Published in JAMA Internal Medicine, earlier this month, the study was carried out on men of average age 18, who were drafted into the Swedish military between the years 1969 and 1979. Of the 488,484 participants, 487 developed Early Onset Dementia-that is dementia before reaching 65-at an average age of 54.

Men who had at least two of the nine risk factors and who fell in the lowest third for overall mental ability had their risk increased by a massive 20%. The influence of hereditary factors was very small according to researchers.

The research is seen to be a positive step as the majority of the risk factors identified can be prevented or treated easily. Research in this field is a priority according to Dr Deborah Levine, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Michigan.

The Guardian reported that Jess Smith, research officer at the Alzheimer’s Society, stated that “Kicking excessive teenage drinking or drug habits into touch and treating conditions such as depression early could be key to reducing your risk of dementia in later life.”