Anya Topiwala

My group studies the impact of and resilience factors on psychiatric and cognitive disorders of later life. We triangulate cutting edge neuro imaging indices of brain health, genetically informed methods for improved causal inference and real world clinical data. Our work has led to substantial advances in understanding relationships between alcohol and brain health. We showed associations between even small amounts of alcohol and a biomarker of Alzheimer's disease. More recently, we showed how alcohol intake links to markers of higher brain iron, providing a potential pathway to cognitive deficits. I also led the largest study to date showing links between alcohol consumption and accelerated biological aging, with implications for many aging-related diseases.

[2026] Alcohol use and risk of dementia in diverse populations: evidence from cohort, case-control and Mendelian randomisation approaches. Topiwala A. et al, (2026), BMJ Evid Based Med, 31, 13 - 22 [2026] Cognition and future depression: associations with risk in those with and without a history of depression. de Cates AN. et al, (2026), BMJ Ment Health, 29 [2026] Opioid use disorder and dementia risk: evidence from observational and genetic analyses in diverse ancestry cohorts. Javidnia S. et al, (2026), Alzheimers Dement, 22 [2026] Cannabis use, cognitive function and dementia risk in older adults: observational and genetic analyses. Ishrat S. et al, (2026), BMJ Ment Health, 29