Associations of alcohol consumption with clinical and MRI measures in multiple sclerosis. (June 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: D'hooghe, Marie B; De Keyser, Jacques
• Is Part Of: Expert review of neurotherapeutics. Volume 12:Number 6(2012)
• Page Start: 657
• Page End: 660
• Publication Date: 2012-06
• Subjects: alcohol -- disability -- environmental factors -- inflammation -- multiple sclerosis -- progression; Neuropharmacology -- Periodicals; 615.7805
• DOI: 10.1586/ern.12.44
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-7175

Abstract

While the harmful effects of alcohol abuse are well documented, experimental and clinical data support a potential benefit of light to moderate alcohol consumption. Cross-sectional studies have suggested an association between alcohol consumption and multiple sclerosis (MS) disability. In the absence of prospective, longitudinal studies, the causal nature of this relationship cannot be established. It remains possible that patients with increased disability progression reduce their alcohol intake. Even though there is substantial evidence for anti-inflammatory effects of low-to-moderate doses of alcohol, the associations need to be interpreted very cautiously. This study discusses the current state of knowledge about MS and alcohol consumption, and the limitations in conducting research with retrospective data in patients with MS.