Alcohol Use Patterns and Dementia: A Cross Country Meta-Analysis

 
   Lead Investigator:    Christopher Kaufmann
   Institution      :    University of California ? San Diego
   E-Mail           :    cnkaufmann@ucsd.edu
   Proposal ID      :    1351



   Proposal Description:
   Alcohol use has been shown to be both a risk and protective factor for dementia and cognitive decline.  It is possible that differences in drinking patterns may contribute to the diverse associations of alcohol use and cognition.         Furthermore, different drinking behaviors observed across countries (with their unique cultures and norms) may result in different associations with cognition. Differences in drinking behaviors across countries may reveal differing relationships between alcohol use and cognitive outcomes. Utilizing data from partners in the Global Alzheimer's Association Interactive Network (GAAIN), including the NACC, we will conduct a meta-analysis comparing drinking across countries and explore any differences in trajectories of future cognitive decline and onset of dementia.                                                   Specific Aims:                                                                   1. To use the GAAIN tool to examine harmonization techniques of alcohol use and cognition/dementia.                                                               2. To examine, using harmonized variables, the association between alcohol use patterns and trajectories of cognitive performance and explore differences in this association across countries.                                               3. To examine, using harmonized variables, the association between alcohol use patterns and conversion to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia, and explore differences in this association across countries.