Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

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Tuesday, April 13, 2010

News Release - Smoking May Counteract Benefit of Moderate Drinking on Stroke Risk


New research finds any beneficial effect of drinking moderate amounts of alcohol on stroke may be counteracted by cigarette smoking, according to research that will be presented as part of the late-breaking science program at the
American Academy of Neurology’s 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, April 10 – 17, 2010.

Scientists followed the drinking and smoking habits of 22,524 people in the United Kingdom who were between the ages of 39 and 79 and did not have a history of heart attack or stroke at the start of the study. During the 12-year study, 864 strokes occurred.

The study found that the association between alcohol drinking and stroke was significantly different between smokers and non-smokers. In non-smokers, people who consumed moderate amounts of alcohol were 37 percent less likely to develop stroke than non-drinkers, while in smokers this association was not observed.

This finding suggests that smoking may modify the relationship between alcohol intake and stroke risk. Moderate drinking was defined as consuming up to 21 units of alcohol per week, which is equal to about two to three regular glasses of red wine a day. . . . . .

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