Alcohol-related dementia is a form of dementia caused by long-term excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, resulting in neurological damage and impaired cognitive function. Alcohol-related dementia is a broad term currently preferred by clinicians. Many experts use the terms alcoholic dementia to describe a specific form of ARD, characterized by impaired executive function. Another form of ARD, known as wet brain, is characterized by short-term memory loss and thiamine deficiency. Patients with ARD often have symptoms of both forms, i.e. impaired ability to plan, apathy, and memory loss. ARD may coexist with other forms of dementia. The diagnosis of ARD is widely recognized but rarely applied, due to the lack of specific diagnostic criteria. In many non-medical settings, the terms wet brain and alcohol-related dementia are often used interchangeably, creating considerable confusion. Additionally, the term persistent alcohol-induced dementia is another non-specific name that is sometimes used. Signs and Symptoms Alcohol-related dementia presents as a global decline in intellectual function with memory not specifically affected, but it can occur with other forms of dementia, resulting in a wide range of symptoms. Some individuals with alcohol-related dementia have damage to the frontal lobes of their brain that causes disinhibition, loss of planning and executive functions, and disregard for the consequences of their behavior. Other types of alcohol-related dementia, such as Korsakoff syndrome, damage specific areas of the brain, with changes in memory, primarily short-term memory loss, being the main symptom. Most presentations of alcohol-related dementia fall somewhere along the spectrum between global dementia and Korsakoff psychosis, and may include symptoms of both. Individuals with alcohol-related dementia may have memory problems, language impairment, and an inability to perform complex motor tasks such as dressing. Excessive alcohol consumption also damages the nerves in the arms and legs, i.e. peripheral neuropathy, as well as the cerebellum, which controls coordination, leading to the development of cerebellar ataxia. These patients often have problems with their limbs and may appear unsteady on their feet. Alcohol-related dementia can cause a variety of psychological problems including psychosis, depression, anxiety, and personality changes. People with alcoholic dementia often experience apathy, related to damage to the frontal lobe, which can mimic depression. People with alcoholism are more likely to develop depression than people without alcoholism, and it can be difficult to differentiate between depression and alcoholic dementia. Alcohol directly affects brain cells in the frontal part of the brain, leading to poor judgment, difficulty making decisions, and lack of insight. Long-term alcohol abuse often leads to poor nutritional status that damages parts of the brain due to vitamin deficiencies. These problems can also cause personality changes in some people. Samar Alkhazaleh 💜💜: Ridley, Nicole J; Draper, Brian; Withall, Adrienne . "Alcohol-related dementia: an update of the evidence". Alzheimer's Research & Therapy. 5: 3. doi:10.1186/alzrt157. ISSN 1758-9193. PMC 3580328. PMID 23347747.