Moderate intake of wine can stave off Alzheimer's

Moderate consumption of wine could reduce the risk of contracting Alzheimer's disease among those over 75, according to a study revealed at a conference in Vienna.

Excessive consumption, on the other hand, can increase the risk, researchers at Wake Forest University in North Carolina found.

Kaycee Sink, one of the authors of the report, said they monitored 3,069 people of 75 and upwards over six years, asking them to note their alcohol consmption.

Among those who restricted themselves to one or two glasses a day, especially of wine, the risk of Alzheimer's was reduced by 37 per cent.

For those already suffering minor memory problems who drank more than two glasses a day, the risk was twice that of non-drinkers with similar impairment.

Another study released by researchers at a California medical centre for war veterans showed that those who had suffered post-traumatic stress disorder were twice as likely to contract Alzheimer's than other ex-soldiers.

The study covered 181,093 veterans aged 55 and over, who were monitored between 2001 and 2007.

Characterised by forgetfulness, agitation and dementia, Alzheimer's is caused by a massive loss of cells in several regions of the brain. The disease occurs most frequently in old age.