Alcohol-related dementia: A silent threat to mental clarity and well-being

Alcohol is consumed and enjoyed by many people around the world, and most people understand alcohol has significant effects on the body. However, the detrimental impact it can have on the brain is often underestimated.

The consumption of alcohol influences multiple regions within the brain, and excessive use can result in long-lasting and irreversible damage to this vital organ.

Infrequent use

Even if you drink alcohol in small amounts or only once in a while, it still has an impact on your brain.

The immediate effects of alcohol on the brain are primarily due to its ability to change neurotransmitter activity. Neurotransmitters are responsible for sending messages throughout the body and play a major role in controlling behaviour, emotion, and physical activity.

Alcohol slows down one particular neurotransmitter known as ‘GABA’, which causes sluggishness, slurred speech, and slower reaction time - symptoms we typically see in someone who's intoxicated. At the same time, alcohol speeds up the neurotransmitter ‘glutamate’, which is responsible for regulating dopamine in the brain's reward centre. It generates feelings of pleasure and happiness, which is why you might get that warm, calming feeling when you're drinking.

However, alcohol can also lower inhibitions and cause impaired judgement, which can lead a person to engage in risky behaviours. 

If a person has an underlying mental health disorder, such as depression or bipolar disorder, alcohol can exacerbate those symptoms too, causing immediate harm that can be difficult to recognise.

Long-term use

If a person drinks a lot of alcohol, and drinks often, the effects on the brain are amplified and have more significant consequences.

Structural Changes and Damage

Excessive drinking can lead to structural changes in the brain, such as shrinkage of the frontal lobes that are responsible for decision-making and controlling impulses. It can also cause damage to the cerebellum, which affects balance, coordination, and fine motor skills.

Increased Tolerance and Dependence

Regular drinkers may find the effect of alcohol is less noticeable to them over time. This occurs because the brain reduces its production of dopamine and develops tolerance, requiring higher amounts of alcohol to achieve the same effect. As a result, individuals may change their behaviour around alcohol, transitioning from drinking to feel good to drinking in order to avoid feeling bad. The impact this has on a person’s mood, habits and everyday functioning can be very damaging and lead to alcoholism.

Brain Disorders

Alcoholism, the inability to control drinking due to both a physical and emotional dependence on alcohol, can lead to various brain-related disorders, some of which may become permanent if left untreated. However, early intervention can help prevent or treat these conditions:

• Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome is a combination of Wernicke's encephalopathy and Korsakoff's syndrome. Wernicke's encephalopathy is caused by a deficiency of thiamine (also known as vitamin B1), which is a vitamin essential for brain function. The symptoms include confusion, impaired balance, and vision changes. Korsakoff's syndrome is characterised by severe memory problems and confabulation; which is a disorder that causes a person to have memories that never actually happened.

• Alcohol-Related Dementia

Alcohol-Related Dementia (ARD) is a form of dementia caused by long-term and excessive alcohol consumption. Similar to other forms of dementia, it presents with symptoms such as memory loss, affected judgement and difficulties in making decisions.

While the exact mechanisms of ARD are not yet fully understood, it is believed that chronic alcohol consumption leads to brain damage, including the shrinkage of certain brain regions and the disruption of connections between the brain cells. Additionally, it can lead to vitamin deficiencies, particularly of vitamins B1, B6, and B12, which can contribute to brain damage and cognitive impairment. Not everyone who drinks excessively will develop ARD, however, excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing a range of health problems, including ARD.

What does this mean?

While occasional and moderate alcohol consumption may not cause someone significant harm, prolonged and excessive use is likely to have severe long-term implications. So it’s important to make informed decisions about what you drink to protect your brain health!

Sources:

• https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/alcohol-related-brain-impairment
• https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/be-healthy/how-does-alcohol-affect-the-brain
• https://adf.org.au/insights/dementia-alcohol-connection/
• https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/wernicke-encephalopathy
• https://dana.org/article/how-addiction-hijacks-our-reward-system/
• https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/mental-health/alcohol-and-dementia
• https://www.health.com/condition/alcoholism/effects-of-alcohol-on-the-brain