Chronic heavy drinking is linked to an increased risk of developing alcohol-related dementia and can also exacerbate other types of dementia. Alcohol damages brain cells impairs cognitive function, and can lead to long-term memory issues. Alcohol misuse and alcohol-related harms are also increasing among this population, and at a faster rate for women than men. Alcohol misuse refers to drinking in a manner, situation, amount, or frequency that could cause harm to the person who drinks or to those around them. Alcohol misuse includes binge drinking and heavy alcohol use as well as consumption at lower levels for some individuals. As people age, changes in their bodies, as well as in their physical and mental health, may cause alcohol to affect them differently than when they were younger and put them at greater risk for negative consequences.

Signs and Symptoms of Alcoholic Dementia

Chronic thiamine deficiency because of chronic alcohol consumption typically results in the slow decline of brain functions. Years of heavy drinking can cause alcohol-related dementia (ARD), often known as alcoholic dementia. “Alcoholic dementia” is a former term for the health condition recognized as alcohol-related dementia or alcohol-induced major neurocognitive disorder. Both terms refer to a severe type of alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) and are interchangeable.

Who is At Risk of Alcoholic Dementia?

Whether alcohol misuse contributes to an added burden on pre-existing Alzheimer’s disease remains an open and ongoing research question, which may be approached in animal models. Chronic drinking increases the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia. Sometimes, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is confused with alcohol-related dementia. A deficiency of Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is the primary cause of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome; however, excessive alcohol consumption may contribute to the deficiency. Alcohol directly affects brain cells, which leads to impaired judgment, trouble making decisions, and heroin addiction loss of insight. In summary, long-term alcohol abuse can occasionally lead to dementia.

Can Alcohol Cause Dementia? An MD Breaks Down the Potential Impact of Heavy Drinking

• Some studies have suggested that low to moderate alcohol use might actually reduce dementia risk, while others indicate there are no health benefits to drinking alcohol.
• This makes it harder to develop accurate tests for FTD compared to Alzheimer’s, where recent advancements have greatly improved diagnosis.
• Only trained and licensed medical professionals can provide such services.
• Addiction Resource does not offer medical diagnosis, treatment, or advice.
• However, occasionally, your care team may prescribe the medications memantine or rivastigmine, which are common drugs for treating the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

It can be beneficial to work with a social worker who is experienced in managing alcoholic dementia and who can guide you and provide you with advice, support, and resources as you cope with this condition. You could potentially experience any combination of these effects when withdrawing from alcohol. Prompt treatment with thiamine (vitamin B1) for people with Wernicke encephalopathy can potentially prevent or lessen the development of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. However, vitamin B1 treatment rarely improves the loss of memory that takes place once Korsakoff psychosis has developed.

ARD is a type of cognitive impairment that occurs as a result of heavy alcohol consumption over a long period. It also underscores the importance of brain health when making lifestyle choices. While the occasional drink may not pose a significant risk, excessive or long-term alcohol use could have lasting impacts on cognitive health.

Terminology

As diagnosing alcohol-related dementia remains challenging due to the lack of specific diagnostic criteria, this can have significant implications for prognosis and treatment. Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are among the most predominant mental disorders, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality, particularly in younger people and women. This cognitive impairment results from cerebral cortex injury due to synaptic failure, inflammation and changes in the brain metabolism. The symptoms of alcohol-related dementia and age-related dementia are fairly similar. Every older adult in treatment at Caron has a primary substance use disorder, most commonly for alcohol, followed closely by opioids and benzodiazepines.

• Actor Bruce Willis is living with it, and so is talk show host Wendy Williams — but the types of dementia they are diagnosed with are different.
• White matter is composed of nerve fibers essential for transmitting messages throughout the brain.
• Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, we have seen a significant uptick in cognitive impairment among older adults at Caron.
• Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to managing the symptoms of alcohol-related dementia.
• However, Doctors use a thorough social history, the findings from the physical and neurologic exams, and the presentation of symptoms to diagnose the condition.

While the two conditions share some similarities, they have different causes. Wernicke-Korkasoff syndrome is caused by a thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency, though heavy alcohol use can be an underlying cause of this deficiency. The overlap between the two conditions points to alcohol use disorder as a potential risk factor for Alzheimer’s progression. Alcohol appeared to amplify some of the same can dementia be alcohol induced molecular disruptions seen in Alzheimer’s, particularly in genes related to inflammation and neuron function. If the withdrawal symptoms are severe, hospitalization may be required; a physician may also prescribe medication to mimic the effects of alcohol on the brain to reduce discomfort.

Types

Dr. Robins says brain imaging may also be necessary to rule out other types of dementia. The primary treatment for alcohol-related dementia is thiamine or vitamin B1 supplementation. Other therapeutic methods may include diet changes and medically assisted reduction of alcohol intake. People with alcohol-related dementia may experience painless vision loss, gait abnormalities, or mental status changes such as apathy and a lack of speech.

Alcohol Can Negatively Affect Cognitive and Mental Health

Dr Scott said that “taking a 20-minute break after finishing one drink, before pouring your next, can make a big difference to the amount of alcohol you drink. Dr Joshi and her team are already working on a more extensive alcohol use disorder dataset to deepen their understanding of how drinking affects the brain and its potential links to Alzheimer’s. The study had some limitations, particularly https://ecosoberhouse.com/ the small dataset for alcohol use disorder. Further research with larger, more diverse populations is needed to confirm these findings and explore how the molecular changes translate to brain function and behaviour.