25 mar 2022 Alcohol and dementia risk

It’s important to understand that moderation is key when it comes to alcohol consumption. Scientists don’t yet know exactly how Korsakoff syndrome damages the brain. Research has shown that severe thiamine deficiency disrupts several biochemicals that play key roles in carrying signals among brain cells and in storing and retrieving memories. These disruptions destroy brain cells and cause widespread microscopic bleeding and scar tissue. Researchers have identified several genetic variations that may increase susceptibility to Korsakoff syndrome.

• People with early-stage dementia may also find it more difficult to make complex decisions and express themselves.
• Alcohol-related dementia can cause problems with memory, learning, judgment, and other cognitive skills.
• While normal aging causes mild cognitive decline, alcohol misuse accelerates and exacerbates these changes, leading to severe memory loss and cognitive impairments.

What can happen if a person drinks too much alcohol on a regular basis?

Over time, toxic damage from chronic alcohol use will affect a person’s executive function. It can also affect a person’s ability to make decisions and their self-control. According to The Alzheimer’s Association, alcoholism has been known to cause a more rare type of dementia called Korsakoff syndrome. This form of alcoholic dementia appears when an individual is deficient in vitamin B1 or thiamine, which is a deficiency that is much more widespread among chronic alcoholics.

Symptoms

This means that over months and years they have a higher risk of malnutrition, including a lack of vitamins such as thiamine (vitamin B1). A lot of the brain damage that is caused by alcohol happens because it prevents the body from getting   enough thiamine (vitamin B1). You can find out how many units are in an alcoholic drink by can alcoholism cause dementia reading the label.

• Abstinence of up to one year is linked with improved attention, working memory, and problem-solving abilities.
• Regardless, because of how seriously negative the effects of alcoholic dementia are, it’s important to monitor one’s alcohol consumption.
• Drinking alcohol with Aricept (donepezil), a medication for certain types of dementia, can prevent it from working properly and increase the risk of side effects.
• You can find out how many units are in an alcoholic drink by reading the label.

Alcoholic Dementia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Older adults are at increased risk due to the cumulative effects of alcohol on an aging brain. A large study of 36,678 typically healthy middle-aged and older persons discovered alcoholism treatment similar associations between regular alcohol intake and brain alterations 5. 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.

Is Alcoholic Dementia Reversible?

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. This damage leads to poorer communication between areas of the brain and impaired cognitive function. If this is untreated, it can lead to mild cognitive impairment or various types of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/dialectical-behavior-therapy-dbt-for-addiction-recovery/ disease 35. Your memory is a core part of your personality, self-image, and relationships, so thinking about a future where you might someday forget your loved ones and lose your independence can be terrifying. If you regularly drink to excess, you should be aware that brain damage, such as alcoholic dementia, is a potential consequence of a substance use disorder.

Sometimes, nutritional supplementation can help prevent the progression of this type of dementia. Additionally, stopping alcohol use can help prevent additional damage. It can be dangerous to stop alcohol abruptly, and it’s safer to go through alcohol detoxification under medical supervision. You may need to stop drinking while being treated in an inpatient program if you regularly consume excessive alcohol. You should discuss your intentions with your healthcare provider, who can work with you to help plan your next steps toward recovery.

• Long-term, excessive alcohol use can cause permanent damage to the brain, which can lead to Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.
• Evidence also suggests that people who regularly drink heavily are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s earlier in life.
• Alcohol-related brain injuries affect a person’s social skills, making it harder to maintain relationships and participate in daily life activities.
• Over time, drinking alcohol can also cause various nutrient deficiencies, including a lack of an essential B vitamin called thiamine.