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Cognitive Function in Drinkers Compared to Abstainers in The New Mexico Elder Health Survey

¹ Department of Internal Medicine
² Aging and Genetic Epidemiology Program
³ Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque.

Address correspondence to Robert D. Lindeman, MD, Aging and Genetic Epidemiology Program, University of New Mexico, Surge Bldg., Room 215, 2701 Frontier Place, N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87131-5666. E-mail: Rlindeman{at}salud.unm.edu

Background. Recent epidemiological studies have shown that individuals who ingest alcohol regularly have a higher level of cognitive function and are less likely to develop dementia than those who abstain. The purpose of this study was to compare nine measures of cognitive function in drinkers compared to abstainers.

Methods. A cross-sectional community survey was conducted of 883 randomly selected Hispanic and non-Hispanic white men and women, age 65 years of age, undergoing a paid home interview and 4-hour interview/examination in a senior health clinic (The New Mexico Elder Health Survey). The interviews included questions on frequency and quantity of alcohol ingested.

Results. Participants who consumed alcohol had significantly better mean scores on 7 of 9 cognitive function tests and less frequently had scores below selected "cut points" compared to those who abstained from all alcohol intake. Scoring used multivariate linear and logistic regression models adjusted for sex, ethnicity, age, level of education, and evidence of depression.

Conclusions. Participants in the New Mexico Elder Health Survey (nearly equal numbers of Hispanic and non-Hispanic white men and women) who consumed alcohol had better scores on their cognitive tests than did those participants who abstained.

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