Korsakoff syndrome causes confabulation, memory loss, and gait abnormalities. These often occur if treatment for Wernicke encephalopathy does not work. A thiamine deficiency over a long period of time can cause brain atrophy or damage. Alcohol-related dementia can occur in people who misuse alcohol. There are two main subtypes, including Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome, though experts may refer to them together as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. If you suspect you have this condition, reach out to a healthcare professional as soon as possible to discuss treatment options.

Symptoms of Alcoholic Dementia:

• This makes alcohol-related dementia easy to hide for some people, and difficult to diagnose at times.
• If a person regularly drinks much more than the recommended limit of alcohol, it can damage their brain.
• Through a case differential approach (concussion vs. ARD), the authors aim to clarify diagnostic criteria for ARD.
• It is not clear why some people who drink too much alcohol develop ARBD, while others do not.
• In total, more than 5,000 articles were considered; approximately 400 are referenced herein (i.e., only articles directly related to search terms were included).
• You might also receive fluids, salts, and thiamine by injection.
• For reference, one unit is considered a half pint of beer or a small glass of wine.

In its later stages, taking thiamine may be less effective but could help prevent further progression. While the statistics can be intimidating, try to remember that they don’t determine your journey with ARD. Quality of life and life expectancy vary significantly from person to person.

Diagnosing alcohol-related dementia

Dementia is a globally increasing health issue and since no cure is currently available, prevention is crucial. The consumption of alcohol is a controversially discussed risk factor for dementia. While many previously published epidemiological studies reported a risk reduction by light to moderate alcohol consumption, there is no persuasive model of an underlying biochemical mechanism. The purpose of this article is to review current models on alcohol neurotoxicity and dementia and to analyze and compare studies focusing on the epidemiological link between alcohol consumption and the risk of dementia.

How is alcoholic dementia treated?

Our writers include physicians, pharmacists, and registered nurses can alcohol cause dementia with firsthand clinical experience. All condition, treatment and wellness content is medically reviewed by at least one medical professional ensuring the most accurate information possible. People with alcohol-related dementia may experience painless vision loss, gait abnormalities, or mental status changes such as apathy and a lack of speech. Some people with advanced cases of the condition may experience hallucinations and irreversible and severe memory impairments. The life expectancy of someone with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome tends to be shorter than the average individual. This may be due to the condition itself, but it is also influenced by the fact that most people who develop this condition have used alcohol heavily, creating additional health problems.

A deficiency of Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is the primary cause of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome; however, excessive alcohol consumption may contribute to the deficiency. Treatment for alcoholic dementia primarily focuses on abstaining from alcohol to prevent further damage. Nutritional support, particularly thiamine supplementation, is critical to address deficiencies and support brain health. Rehabilitation programs may also play a vital role in recovery, offering psychological support and strategies to manage symptoms​​​​.

An intervention from loved ones can help some people recognize and accept that they need professional help. If you’re concerned about someone who drinks too much, ask a professional experienced in alcohol treatment for advice on how to approach that person. If your pattern of drinking results in repeated significant distress and problems functioning in your daily life, you likely have alcohol use disorder. However, even a mild disorder can escalate and lead to serious problems, so early treatment is important.

Alcohol has a direct effect on brain cells, resulting in poor judgment, difficulty making decisions, and lack of insight. In short, alcohol misuse over many years can cause dementia in some cases. Nutrition problems, which often accompany long-time alcohol misuse, can be another contributing factor to alcohol-related dementia, since parts of the brain may be damaged by vitamin deficiencies. You may also find value in joining a support group for people who are living with alcoholic dementia or for caregivers so that you can meet with others who are coping with the same life stressors as you are.

Results of the Reviewed Studies

BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor. By Esther Heerema, MSWEsther Heerema, MSW, shares practical tips gained from working with hundreds of people whose lives are touched by Alzheimer’s disease and other kinds of dementia. Wernicke encephalopathy symptoms are often categorized as a triad of ocular (eye), cerebellar (balance and body control), and confusion symptoms. 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.

However, women who have ARBD tend to get it at a younger age than men, and after fewer years of alcohol misuse. This is because women are at a greater risk of the damaging effects of alcohol. A person who has ARBD won’t only have problems caused by damage to their brain. Addiction can make it much more difficult to treat a person with ARBD. This is because professionals need to treat the person’s alcohol addiction together with their symptoms related to memory and thinking.

Lifestyle Quizzes

But your care team can prescribe medications to help with withdrawal symptoms. You might also receive fluids, salts, and thiamine by injection. A 56-year-old right-handed male presented to the emergency room after fall with head strike (no loss of consciousness) with alcohol withdrawal delirium. Symptoms of cerebellar ataxia and CI of 6-month duration were noted. Past medical history was significant for alcohol use (four standard units per day), hyperlipidemia, tobacco use, and depression/anxiety. Neuroimaging revealed cerebral atrophy and chronic small vessel ischemic disease.