Association between alcohol consumption and Alzheimer's disease: A Mendelian randomization study.
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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, ?-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 ?-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.
SUBMITTER: Andrews SJ
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7057166 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Association between alcohol consumption and Alzheimer's disease: A Mendelian randomization study.
Andrews Shea J SJ Goate Alison A Anstey Kaarin J KJ
Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association 20200104 2
<h4>Introduction</h4>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.<h4>Methods</h4>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 ...[more]
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