Open AccessAlcohol consumption and cognitive aging: can it be beneficial?
Author(s) -
Margarita Velikova,
B. Galunska,
Raya Dimitrova,
Zlatislav Stoyanov
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of mind and medical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2601-4920
pISSN - 2392-7674
DOI - 10.22543/7674.81.p516
Subject(s) - medicine , context (archaeology) , cognition , dementia , alcohol consumption , oxidative stress , cognitive decline , brain aging , insulin resistance , cognitive aging , psychiatry , insulin , alcohol , endocrinology , pathology , disease , paleontology , biochemistry , chemistry , biology
We present a literature review which summarizes the data supporting one of the alternative perspectives on the effect of alcohol consumption on cognitive aging – the possible positive effect of low to moderate drinking. Some of the main theories about aging, the mechanisms of brain aging, and the pathogenesis of cognitive decline and dementia are briefly described. In this context, the putative mechanisms of the protective action of non-alcoholic components in alcoholic beverages or low doses of ethanol against oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, brain insulin resistance, and production of amyloid-β peptides are presented. The review article does not favor the data selected and highlighted, but it aims at inspiring more interest and further research on the topic.