Association between alcohol consumption and Alzheimer's disease: A Mendelian randomization study.

TitleAssociation between alcohol consumption and Alzheimer's disease: A Mendelian randomization study.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2020
AuthorsAndrews SJ, Goate A, Anstey KJ
JournalAlzheimers Dement
Volume16
Issue2
Pagination345-353
Date Published02/2020
ISSN1552-5279
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.

DOI10.1016/j.jalz.2019.09.086
Alternate JournalAlzheimers Dement
PubMed ID31786126
PubMed Central IDPMC7057166
Grant List1002560 / / NHMRC / International
503480 / MRC_ / Medical Research Council / United Kingdom
U24 AG021886 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
U01 AG032984 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
/ / Erasmus University Rotterdam / International
/ / Federal Ministry of Education and Research / International
503176 / / Alzheimer's Research UK / International
R01 HL105756 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
/ / Icelandic Heart Association / International
/ / Erasmus Medical Center / International
U10 AA008401 / AA / NIAAA NIH HHS / United States
/ / JPB Foundation / International
U01 AG016976 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG033193 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
/ / Institut Pasteur / International
082604/2/07/Z / WT_ / Wellcome Trust / United Kingdom
ADGC-10-196728 / / Alzheimer's Association / International
/ / Inserm / International
AG081220 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
/ WT_ / Wellcome Trust / United Kingdom