People are most at risk of the negative effects of drinking before they are born, between the ages of 15 and 19, and when over 65 years old, an editorial by academics from the University of NSW, University of Sydney and Kings College in London says.

Those three periods are times when the brain in undergoing dynamic changes, and is particularly sensitive to harm, lead author and Dr Louise Mewton explains.

"There is an undeniable cumulative effect of alcohol use on cognitive health across the life span," the University of NSW Fellow at the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing says.

It is widely known that heavy alcohol use during pregnancy can cause foetal alcohol spectrum disorder, which can stunt brain growth and cause cognitive impairment.

But the editorial claims data suggests even low or moderate drinking during pregnancy is linked to poorer psychological and behavioural outcomes in children.

Adolescents are also at a higher risk thanks to the demographic's penchant for binge drinking, Dr Mewton says.

It leads to poorer white matter development, small to moderate deficits in cognitive function and can even cause the brain to shrink.

While alcoholism among the elderly is rare, Dr Mewton says it is one of the strongest risk factors for all types of dementia, particularly early onset, compared with other risk factors such as high blood pressure and smoking.

There is evidence even moderate drinking above the age of 65 can cause significant brain shrinkage.

She says the evidence shows a better approach to reducing alcohol harm at all ages is needed.

Guidelines on low risk drinking, alcohol pricing policies, and lower drink driving limits are a good place to start, she says.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on alcohol use is not yet clear, the editorial notes, but alcohol use increased in the long term after other major public health crises.

However, a study done by Melbourne's Monash University suggests that may not actually be the case.

According the Australian Tax Office's alcohol sales data, Australians did not "get on the beers" at home during the nation's lockdowns despite the closure of licensed venues.

On-premises alcohol consumption was banned in March following the closure of pubs, clubs, restaurants, cafes and sporting venues.

While the data showed a significant reduction in on-premises beer consumption between March and May, there was no real change away from licensed venues.

Victoria's second wave lockdown was no different, the study found.

"With beer representing the largest share of total alcohol consumed in Australia and disproportionately represented in risky drinking, there were widely held concerns people would increase their consumption at home, particularly with unemployment rates spiking as a direct result of the pandemic," lead researcher Dr Brian Vandenberg said.

Dr Vandenberg said the findings, which suggest people are more likely to drink beer when out with mates in social situations, were positive and an unexpected health benefit from COVID-19 restrictions.

Australian Associated Press