“DRUNK WITH MODERATION, WINE CAN SLOW THE PROGRESSION OF SENILE DEMENTIA IN AT-RISK SUBJECTS”: THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY “ILSA” (ITALIAN LONGITUDINAL STUDY ON AGING), PROMOTED BY CNR AND THE SUPERIOR INSTITUTE OF HEALTH

Drunk with moderation, wine can slow the progression of senile dementia in at-risk subjects: “in respect to those who do not drink, those who do drink about one glass of wine (150-180 cc) have a reduced rate of illness of 85%”. This was announced by Vincenzo Solfrizzi of the Geriatric Section of the University of Bari who, together with Francesco Panza, has completed a study for “ILSA” (Italian Longitudinal Study on Aging), sponsored by CNR and managed by Emanuele Scafato of the Superior Institute of Health.

The study, which was published in the magazine “Neurology”, included elderly subjects between the ages of 65 and 84 years, who all showed a slight cognitive decline, a condition associated with a risk that could lead to senile dementia. “In Italy” – explained Solfrizzi – “there are 300,000 people over 50 who suffer from cognitive decline and, based on international estimates, it has been calculated that each year about 16 of these subjects decline into senile dementia, of which Alzheimer’s is the most common”.

The study included 1,445 normal elderly patients and 121 subjects with cognitive decline. The experts analyzed their consumption levels of alcoholic beverages and confronted these with the risks of senile dementia. Wine, beer, and spirits were all to be factors in the test but, explained Solfrizzi, “our sample drank mostly wine, therefore we do not have significant enough data on other alcoholic beverages”.

It has emerged from the study that, while moderate consumption of alcohol does not seem to help in the prevention of dementia in healthy subjects, for those who are already affected by a slight cognitive decline - precisely those who are most at-risk of senile dementia - a glass of wine per day resulted very protective.

“In fact, while each year about 14% of non drinking subjects passed from slight cognitive decline to dementia, only three out of 100 of those who drank wine passed from decline to dementia”. Thus, their risk was reduced by 85% in respect to non drinkers.
“We think that wine, which thanks to its antioxidants has already proved to be capable of defending cardiovascular health, offers protection from cerebrovascular illnesses that are risk factors for dementia”.