Read on to learn more about the types of alcohol-related dementia, common symptoms, key risk factors, and how you can help a loved one experiencing alcohol dementia. Over 25% of American adults report at least one instance of heavy alcohol use each month, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Alcohol misuse can cause a variety of health problems, from high blood pressure to heart disease. Additionally, liver cirrhosis—in the US most commonly caused by excessive alcohol use—can also cause hepatic encephalopathy, a serious brain disorder resulting from the accumulation of toxins in the blood. Symptoms include forgetfulness, confusion, disorientation, and slurred speech.
Epidemiological Studies of Electronic Health Data
Chronic alcohol consumption can gradually interfere with thiamine absorption, hindering its distribution and damaging cells. Understanding these shared pathways offers new avenues for prevention and treatment. If alcohol use accelerates Alzheimer’s progression, reducing consumption could be a modifiable way to lower risk. The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal, or financial advice or to create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your is alcohol dementia real health care provider, attorney, or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site.
Medical Disclaimer
Moreover, alcohol’s neurotoxic effects damage brain cells and disrupt neural communication pathways, exacerbating cognitive decline. While these findings reflect general structural changes in chronic abusers of alcohol, what lesions characterize a clinically identifiable dementia and the neuropathological process that underlies this process remain in dispute. The ‘neurotoxicity’ hypothesis suggests that the direct physiological effects of chronic alcohol exposure can cause neuronal loss through glutamate excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and the disruption of neurogenesis 13. In particular, drinking patterns of repeated binges and withdrawal periods may enhance neuronal injury through increased vulnerability of upregulated N-methyl-D-asparate (NDMA) receptors to glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. Cholinergic neurotransmission in the basal forebrain, which plays a key role in attention, learning, and memory, also appears to be impacted by prolonged intake of alcohol.
- In fact, many studies show that mild to moderate alcohol use (one to three drinks a day) may reduce the likelihood of dementia, according to a systematic review published in the journal Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment.
- Lauren Smith has worked as a journalist and copywriter for the last decade, covering a range of topics including health, energy, and technology in the US and UK.
- Anyone with analcohol use disordershould seek professional medical help to prevent further complications while working toward addiction recovery.
- This means there are fewer cells to carry the messages that the brain needs to do different tasks.
Rodent models of AUD and Alzheimer’s disease
If a doctor is unaware of the person drinking too much alcohol over many years, they may not consider alcohol-related ‘dementia’ as a possible diagnosis. The person may not get the right treatment and support, which is why it is important to tell doctors about drinking too much alcohol. A person with alcohol-related ‘dementia’ may be unsteady on their feet and more likely to fall over – even when they are sober.
- However, occasionally, your care team may prescribe the medications memantine or rivastigmine, which are common drugs for treating the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
- Alcohol-related ‘dementia’ can also cause problems with a person’s mood, such as apathy, depression or irritability.
- Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia, affecting nearly 7 million Americans—a number expected to double by 2060.
- The life expectancy of someone with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome tends to be shorter than the average individual.
Signs and symptoms
It can affect several areas of the brain, but it most commonly affects the mammillary bodies found on the hypothalamus. They’ll likely start by doing a physical exam and asking about your physical and psychological symptoms. They may also ask you to complete a questionnaire about symptoms related to your memory and cognitive abilities. Alcoholic dementia can occur at any age, and it is expected to worsen rapidly (within a few years) after the initial symptoms begin. Use of this website and any information contained herein is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement. If alcohol-related dementia is suspected, your doctor may recommend an MRI to confirm the diagnosis.
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Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to managing Sober living house the symptoms of alcohol-related dementia. Alcohol-related dementia occurs due to vitamin B1 deficiency resulting from prolonged alcohol misuse. Alzheimer’s and alcohol-related dementia are comparable in that they both impair memory and cognitive function. Alcohol-related dementia can impair memory, learning, judgment, and other cognitive abilities 1.
Comprising https://ecosoberhouse.com/ experienced therapists, medical experts, and dedicated support staff, this team brings a wealth of knowledge and compassionate insight into the complexities of addiction and recovery. Their collective expertise shines through in each article, offering readers valuable guidance, the latest in addiction science, and inspiring stories of healing and transformation. The Grove Editorial Team is committed to educating, supporting, and empowering individuals and families on their journey toward a healthier, substance-free life.
Wernicke Korsakoff Syndrome
It isn’t easy to cope with alcohol-related dementia, but there are resources that can help. You may also choose to share your diagnosis with supportive family and friends—you don’t have to navigate your condition alone. Early treatment is the key to successfully treating alcohol-related dementia. If caught early enough, patients with the more general type of ARD can significantly improve their condition by quitting alcohol and eating a balanced diet.
Memory loss and mood swings are hallmark symptoms of alcohol-related brain damage. Prevention is the key to reducing the risk of any major health problems and psychosocial consequences of heavy drinking. If you have difficulty controlling your alcohol use and want help, there are many treatment options and resources to help you through your journey toward sobriety and wellness. Quitting drinking will prevent additional loss of brain function and damage. Also, improving the patient’s diet can help; however, diet does not substitute for alcohol abstinence in preventing alcohol-related dementia from worsening.
It is caused by a person regularly drinking too much alcohol, or binge-drinking, over several years. The Recovery Village offers high-quality inpatient and outpatient treatment options across the country. We invite you tocontact usto learn how to get started on your journey to lasting recovery from the effects of alcohol addiction. During the middle stages of alcohol-related dementia, symptoms become more severe.People in this stagehave more severe memory loss and find daily tasks to be more difficult. People may start to forget family members and close friends, and may find it harder to communicate. In some cases, stopping alcohol consumption can partially reverse cognitive impairments.