Understanding Alcohol-Related Dementia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Excessive drinking over a period of years can lead to a condition known as alcoholic dementia, or alcohol-related dementia (ARD). This condition can cause problems with memory, learning, judgment, and other cognitive skills. Alcohol-related dementia is similar to Alzheimer’s disease in that it affects memory and cognitive ability.

One of the syndromes of alcohol-related dementia is Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which involves two disorders that may occur independently or together: Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome. Wernicke’s encephalopathy is characterized by abnormal eye movements, unsteady gait, and confusion.

Alcohol-related dementia is caused by damage to brain cells from a thiamine deficiency caused by alcohol. Alcohol blocks the absorption of thiamine in the gut, leading to nerve cell damage. People with severe alcohol use disorder also tend to have nutritional deficiencies from a poor diet and irregular eating habits.

Research shows that heavy drinkers have less brain volume overall with impaired memory, attention span, judgment, and other cognitive functions. The end stage of alcoholism is linked with severe brain damage and liver problems, leading to symptoms like brain fog, confusion, and delirium.

The age of onset of alcohol-related dementia varies, but it is often seen in middle-aged adults around 40 to 50 years old. Treatment for alcohol-related dementia involves early intervention, quitting alcohol, and improving diet. Abstinence from alcohol can prevent further brain function loss and damage.

Coping with alcohol-related dementia can be challenging, but support groups, self-care, nutrition, routine, and hiring an assistant can help manage the condition. It is important to catch the signs early and seek help to reverse some of the disease process with nutrition therapy and abstinence from alcohol. Prevention is key to reducing the risk of major health problems associated with heavy drinking.