Neurologist advises on brain health and alcohol consumption

Neurologist Dr. Kevin Šet advises that limiting or abstaining from alcohol before the age of 60 can significantly benefit long-term memory and prevent accelerated brain aging. Excessive alcohol consumption is linked to several detrimental effects, including reduced brain volume—particularly in the hippocampus—disrupted communication between neurons via neurotransmitters like glutamate and GABA, decreased blood flow, and severe nutrient deficiencies, such as Vitamin B1 (thiamine).

Regarding cognitive decline, experts note that while natural aging can lead to minor memory lapses, such as forgetting names, these do not always indicate dementia. A distinction is made between Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), where individuals remain independent despite cognitive changes, and dementia, which impairs the ability to perform daily tasks independently. Dementia is a syndrome of symptoms rather than a single disease, with Alzheimer's being the most common cause, though other forms like Lewy body dementia or vascular dementia also exist. Early symptoms can include vision issues, language difficulties, or personality changes rather than just memory loss.