Alcohol and the brain

SIR – Finally, scientists have uncovered the role of alcohol misuse in contributing to brain damage (“Daily glass of wine raises risk of Alzheimer’s”, report, June 6).

In 2011, the Royal College of Psychiatrists suggested that drinking limits should be reduced to 11 units of alcohol per week for older people – far fewer than the 14 units per week set by the Department of Health last year.

Much of the news behind the health benefits of alcohol has been influenced by comparing drinkers with exdrinkers, who are likely to have alcohol-related health problems. There have also been very few alcohol studies with a sufficient follow-up period to look at the long-term effects of alcohol on brain function.

With a further rise in the number of baby boomers whose alcohol misuse is a bigger problem than that of their younger counterparts, we are likely to see many more people with alcoholrelated dementia. We need a drastic change in attitudes towards drinking. Dr Tony Rao Co-chairman, Older People’s Substance Misuse Working Group Royal College of Psychiatrists London E1