For many people, research suggests that light to moderate drinking of alcohol seems to have a protective benefit on dementia risk. However, it’s important to remember that alcohol use can lead to dependence and abuse, so caution is warranted. These cognitive impairments may develop over time, but alcohol can also cause immediate memory loss, known as blackouts.
These changes may hinder the brain from functioning properly, causing cognitive decline. The observational epidemiological studies underlying the reviews listed in Table Table11 were limited because the majority of the studies were restricted to older populations (that is, late adulthood). Alcohol withdrawal can be unpleasant and, sometimes, it even is dangerous. You may need to stop drinking while being treated in an inpatient program if you regularly consume excessive alcohol.
Associations between alcohol use and the incidence of cognitive impairment/dementia, including dose-response studies
They are not “lying” but may actually believe their invented explanations. Scientists don’t yet understand the mechanism by which Korsakoff syndrome may cause confabulation. The person may also see or hear things that are not there (hallucinations). This article does not https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/alcohol-and-aging-does-alcohol-make-you-look-older/ contain any studies with human participants (or animal) by any of the authors. Because they can engage in conversation, a person with WKS may appear normal at first glance. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth.
Our Medical Affairs Team is a dedicated group of medical professionals with diverse and extensive clinical experience who actively contribute to the development of our content, products, and services. They meticulously evaluate and review all medical content before publication to ensure it is medically accurate and aligned with current discussions and research developments in mental health. Similarly, the risk of stroke and accidental head injury is increased in these groups, which can also lead to dementia [5].
Excessive Amounts of Alcohol
Excessive alcohol consumption leads to numerous health problems such as liver damage, stomach issues, impaired cognitive function, insomnia after drinking alcohol, dizziness, and more. If alcoholic beverages are consumed in large quantities over a relatively short period of times, most health problems can be cured relatively easily using special treatment and by quitting drinking. However, if one abuses alcohol throughout many years, this doesn’t only lead to liver cirrhosis, but also a condition called alcoholic dementia. This health condition usually results in improper neurological functioning and serious cognitive issues. Dementia caused by alcoholism can appear to people of all ages, and it usually starts as a result of abusing alcohol regularly for many years.
Other studies, however, have concluded that wine, beer, and liquor all have similar effects on cognition. However, a person will likely need to take thiamine supplements and stop or significantly alcohol and dementia cut back on alcohol consumption for the best results. When a medical professional suspects alcohol dementia, some experts recommend the use of prophylactic thiamine administration.
Wernicke Korsakoff Syndrome
This excessive consumption puts a person at risk of various brain diseases, including AD, stroke, and heart disease. Various studies have been conducted to ascertain the effects of alcohol use on the development of dementia. Although excessive and prolonged alcohol consumption significantly increases the risk of dementia, there are variable opinions about the impact of mild to moderate alcohol consumption [2][7][8]. Prolonged and heavy alcohol use causes brain cell death, which can cause certain areas of the brain to shrink. For example, research has found that heavy drinkers have a reduced volume of white matter.
Because the chronic memory loss of Korsakoff syndrome often follows an episode of Wernicke encephalopathy, the chronic disorder is sometimes known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. But Korsakoff syndrome can also develop in individuals who have not had a prior episode of Wernicke encephalopathy. Many patients come to us with previously diagnosed cognitive impairment. Additionally, many older adults fear they have Alzheimer’s Disease, recognizing that they are foggy, forgetful, or have trouble finding their words. They may even be on medications, like Aricept, to treat cognitive decline. Following a few weeks in treatment, cognition often improves once the patient is not actively using alcohol or other drugs.