Cerebral Deficits in Social Drinkers and the Onus of Proof

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Abstract
A number of correlational studies have claimed to show that moderate social drinking (less than 80 ml of ethanol per occasion) may give rise to chronic cerebral deficits. These claims are widely cited in the scientific literature and have been reiterated in the popular press. However, review of the evidence suggests that these claims suffer serious conceptual and methodological limitations. All of the data is open to more parsimonious interpretation. Abstinence studies have also failed to provide any evidence of a reversible toxic effect on behaviour. As a consequence, the onus rests with the proponents of the view that moderate alcohol consumption harms mentation to provide some unambiguous evidence.