Alcohol use disorder
Alcohol use disorder has been studied in 6 papers since 2019: 6 observational studies in people; 1 in the past year. The newest paper, Apr 1, 2026: “The relationship between alcohol use disorder, measures of cognitive decline, and Alzheimer disease biomarkers in middle aged and older adults”.
6 papers study it5 findingsUpdated
See all 6 papers on alcohol use disorder
At a glance
The findings reach people, from one lab or study. 4 independent labs in 2 countries.
“Mendelian randomization analyses revealed some evidence for a causal effect of AUD on accelerated brain ageing (β=0.272, p=0.044)”
1 of its findings points the other way.
- 4 independent labs in 2 countries
- 1 finding against
- Funders: National Institutes of Health and 7 more
- 1 of 5 findings with company ties
- Humans6
What did studies of alcohol use disorder find?
3Studies of alcohol use disorder measured 3 outcomes: dementia, brain age and telomere length.
Dementia
no changein humans1
1 study
Dementia
no changein humans1
Alcohol use disorder was not clearly linked with dementia in humans (RD 2.0%, 95% CI -7.7 to 11.7).
“AUD was not related to increased dementia risk overall (2.0%; -7.7 to 11.7)”
Humansmedian 4.4-year follow-upn = 10,062
Alzheimer's research & therapy
Brain age
upin humans1
1 study
Brain age
upin humans1
Alcohol use disorder is linked with higher brain age in humans (Mendelian randomization analysis) (β=0.272, p=0.044).
“Mendelian randomization analyses revealed some evidence for a causal effect of AUD on accelerated brain ageing (β=0.272, p=0.044)”
HumansMendelian randomization analysisbrain
Associations between alcohol use and accelerated biological ageing
medRxivPreprint
Telomere length
downin humans1
1 study
Telomere length
downin humans1
Alcohol use disorder is linked with lower telomere length in humans (compared with non-dependent healthy controls).
“AUD participants showed shorter TL compared to HC with both, age, and AUD, as independent predictors as well as a significant AUD with age interaction effect on TL.”
Humanscompared with non-dependent healthy controlsperipheral blood
Effect of alcohol use disorder on cellular aging
Psychopharmacology
What is alcohol use disorder linked with?
2Studies link alcohol use disorder with 2 measures: cognitive decline and dementia.
Cognitive decline
upin humans1RR 1.4
1 study
Cognitive decline
upin humans1RR 1.4
Alcohol use disorder is associated with cognitive decline in humans (moderate-to-severe AUD) (RR = 1.4).
“Analyses revealed a significant association between moderate-to-severe AUD and increased cognitive decline in middle-aged and older adults (RR = 1.4, p < 0.001).”
Humansmoderate-to-severe AUDn = 366
Alcohol, clinical & experimental research
Dementia
upin humans1
1 study
Dementia
upin humans1
Alcohol use disorder is linked with a higher risk of dementia in humans (neuropsychiatric disorders) (RD 31.5%, 95% CI 7.4 to 55.7).
“AUD was not related to increased dementia risk overall (2.0%; -7.7 to 11.7) but was significantly associated with increased dementia risk among men with neuropsychiatric disorders (31.5%; 7.4 to 55.7).”
Humansneuropsychiatric disordersmedian 4.4-year follow-upmales
Alzheimer's research & therapy