'Women metabolise alcohol in a different way and alcohol seems to have more toxic effects on the brain and also on the body,' she said.

'If a woman drinks the same amount as a man, she will develop complications earlier, and they will be more severe.'

And the younger someone starts drinking, the earlier they are likely to experience memory problems.

Calling for teenagers to be educated on the dangers of alcohol, Dr Guerrini said: 'We are starting to see young people of 18 or 19 who are alcohol dependent after starting binge-drinking at 12 or 13.

'The message is to drink sensibly, especially if you are young and if you are female.'

The researchers have written to public health minister Dawn Primarolo, to call for alcohol -related brain damage to be put on the same footing liver problems caused by heavy drinking.

Professor Ian Gilmore, president of the Royal College of Physicians, told the Observer: 'It is vital that we improve understanding between doctors and nurses about the links between heavy drinking and neurological damage.

'Equally important is that people understand that alcohol-related brain damage can occur at any time of life.'

But the Alzheimer's Society said that as few as three per cent of cases of dementia are directly attributable to alcohol.

And other studies have suggested that a glass of wine a day could slow the onset of dementia in those starting to experience memory problems.