A new study published in the American Academy of Neurology’s journal Neurology has found that people who consume eight or more alcoholic drinks per week are at a higher risk of developing brain lesions called hyaline arteriolosclerosis, which can lead to memory and thinking problems. The study, which included 1,781 participants with an average age of 75 at death, found that heavy drinkers had a 133% higher odds of having vascular brain lesions compared to non-drinkers.
Hyaline arteriolosclerosis is a condition where the small blood vessels in the brain become narrow and stiff, making it harder for blood to flow and potentially causing damage to the brain over time. The study also found that heavy drinkers died an average of 13 years earlier than those who never drank.
The researchers defined one drink as 14 grams of alcohol, which is equivalent to about 350 milliliters (ml) of beer, 150 ml of wine or 45 ml of distilled spirits. They divided the participants into four groups: non-drinkers, moderate drinkers (7 drinks per week), heavy drinkers (8+ drinks per week), and former heavy drinkers.
The study’s lead author, Alberto Fernando Oliveira Justo, stated that “heavy drinking is directly linked to signs of injury in the brain, and this can cause long-term effects on brain health, which may impact memory and thinking abilities.” The researchers emphasize the importance of public health awareness and preventive measures to reduce heavy drinking.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409173113.htm