Possible consequences of social drinking in the early stages of Alzheimer disease.

Although research supports the idea that alcohol is not a risk factor for developing Alzheimer disease (AD), surprisingly little attention has been given to the role of social drinking in the early stages of the disorder. The current review highlights potential alcohol- and disease-related interactions on neurologic, cognitive, and behavioral functioning in individuals experiencing the early stages of AD. Understanding how alcohol interacts with AD can benefit both treatment providers (eg, interpreting clinical tests) and caregivers (eg, managing disruptive behaviors) by providing important clues to potentially reversible impairments that may negatively affect the everyday functioning of individuals with the disorder.