Alcohol-Related Dementia and Neurocognitive Impairment: A Review Study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Public Health

Background:

• Alcohol consumption has significantly increased globally.
• Evidence links alcohol use to cognitive decline and dementia.
• This review systematically examines alcohol-related dementia (ARD).

Approach:

• Searched PubMed for "alcohol and dementia", "alcohol and cognitive impairment", and "alcohol and Wernicke-Korsakoff".
• Included 72 relevant studies from an initial 131.
• Cross-references from selected studies were also considered.

Key Points:

• Prolonged, excessive alcohol intake can cause structural and functional brain damage, resulting in ARD.
• Cognitive deficits commonly impact visuospatial functions, memory, and executive tasks.
• Partial recovery is possible with abstinence, but diagnosis faces challenges due to confounding factors.

Conclusions:

• ARD poses a probable risk with increasing rates in younger and middle-aged populations.
• Current diagnostic criteria and the status of ARD as an independent entity are debated.
• Evidence-based guidelines for ARD diagnosis and management require further systematic study.