Defy Dementia Episode 23: On the Rocks - How Alcohol Affects Brain Health
In this episode, we speak with Ian, a Toronto father and husband who shares insights from his sobriety journey of nearly 11 years, with the hope of helping those facing similar challenges. Dr. Rachita Sumbria (Associate Professor at Chapman University School of Pharmacy; Associate Project Scientist at the University of California) delves into the underlying brain mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease, with a focus on the brain-liver connection. And Dr. Timothy Naimi (Director of the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research; Professor in the School of Public Health and Social Policy at the University of Victoria) discusses the impact of alcohol on population health and how individuals can think about reducing their alcohol intake. Tune in to discover strategies to reduce your alcohol intake and your dementia risk.
Key messages
- Alcohol use is a dementia risk.
- Alcohol kills brain cells, increases inflammation, and disrupts brain function.
- Reducing your alcohol intake may decrease your dementia risk.
Key actions
- Think about why you drink.
- Knowing why you drink can help you decide how to reduce your intake.
- Use resources like knowalcohol.ca to determine your risk level and the benefits of cutting back.
- If you or a loved one are drinking too much, see your doctor. There may be treatments to help
Learn more about our guests
Dr. Rachita Sumbria is an Associate Professor at Chapman University School of Pharmacy and an Associate Project Scientist at the University of California, Irvine. She earned her PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2010. Dr. Sumbria completed her postdoctoral training at the Department of Medicine's blood-brain barrier laboratory at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Department of Neurology at the University of California, Irvine from 2011 to 2014. Her research program delves into the mechanisms and treatment options for cerebrovascular diseases, with a particular focus on Alzheimer's disease (AD). A major area of her research program focuses on modifiable risk factors for AD, including alcohol intake. Dr. Sumbria's work has garnered substantial funding from foundation and federal grants, mainly from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She also serves as a member of grant review panels at the NIH.
Dr. Timothy Naimi MD, MPH is Director of the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, and Professor in the School of Public Health and Social Policy at the University of Victoria (Canada). He received a bachelor’s degree from Harvard College, an MD degree from the University of Massachusetts, and an MPH degree from Harvard School of Public Health. He completed a combined internal medicine-pediatrics residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Epidemic Intelligence Service program and a preventive medicine residency at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. His research interests include alcohol epidemiology and the impact of alcohol and cannabis policies.