The sooner you treat alcohol-related dementia, the better your chances of recovery. Note that alcohol-related dementia is sometimes confused with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. While the two conditions share some similarities, they have different causes. Wernicke-Korkasoff syndrome is caused by a thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency, though heavy alcohol can alcohol cause dementia use can be an underlying cause of this deficiency. ARD is a type of cognitive impairment that occurs as a result of heavy alcohol consumption over a long period.
Who’s at risk?
Our dedicated team Sober living house is committed to going above and beyond to meet the unique needs of every resident under our care. At Kensington Park Senior Living, we are dedicated to providing exceptional care and support to our residents, regardless of the level of care they require. This may be difficult if your loved one has a current problem with alcoholism.
What is Korsakoff’s syndrome?
Most importantly, alcohol-related dementia serves as a reminder that many cases of cognitive decline are preventable through healthy lifestyle choices and appropriate medical care. Understanding these connections empowers individuals and families to make informed decisions about alcohol use and brain health. Prevention through moderate alcohol consumption or complete abstinence offers the best protection against alcohol-related cognitive decline. For those already affected, early intervention with alcohol cessation, thiamine supplementation, and comprehensive medical care can slow progression and potentially improve some symptoms.
Safe Drinking Guidelines
- Korsakoff syndrome occurs more gradually, and the symptoms are usually attention and concentration problems, gaps in memory which are usually filled inaccurately (confabulation) and difficulty learning new information.
- However, the connection between alcohol and vascular dementia may be related to a few factors, such as hypertension, thrombosis, blood vessel damage, and nutrient deficiencies.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has shown moderate alcoholism causes mild cerebral atrophy and lower mean brain weight; most of this brain shrinkage is mainly attributed to white matter loss.
- Alcohol-related ‘dementia’ or Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome will cause them to struggle with day-to-day tasks.
When we don’t have enough, our brains can’t produce the energy they need to work properly. If you experience both Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s syndrome at once, it’s called Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS). The symptoms of Wernicke’s encephalopathy can be different from person to person. If you’re concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to your doctor. However, many support services have a ‘complex needs’ team which are better equipped to support the different needs of someone with alcohol-related ‘dementia’. Read our advice on supporting a person with dementia who has depression, anxiety or apathy.
