Alcohol-Related Brain Damage

What Is Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS)?

Wernicke Korsakoff Syndrome is similar to Alcoholic Dementia and is also caused by excessive alcohol. The specific way alcohol creates this brain damage is lacking vitamin Thiamine (vitamin B1). Alcohol prevents the body from absorbing this vitamin and impacts the brain’s function leaving significant damage. 

There are two stages to this disease. First, a person will experience intense brain inflammation. This is described as Wernicke’s Encephalopathy. If treatment is not provided during this time, a more severe and long-lasting condition called Korsakoff’s Syndrome can develop. This is a more pronounced version of dementia. 

Wernicke Encephalopathy (WE)

It is the first part of Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome. The primary component of this stage of the disease is severe brain inflammation. It is essential to recognize the signs of this disease to seek treatment and reduce long-lasting effects. 

Symptoms of Wernicke’s Encephalopathy:

• Disoriented, confused, or mild memory loss.
• Difficulty controlling eye movements.
• Poor balance or walking with legs out. 
• Being malnourished.

If a person appears to have one or more of these symptoms, it is essential to go to the hospital. Alcohol use should be stopped immediately. Medical treatment includes high doses of Thiamine and other B vitamins to improve patient outcomes and avoid the risk of permanent brain damage or death. 

Korsakoff Syndrome (KS)

Korsakoff’s Syndrome is the advancement of the disease once a person has experienced Wernicke’s Encephalopathy and has not received treatment to reduce inflammation. Once a person has reached this stage of disease, it is much more difficult to heal the damage that has occurred, and a person’s symptoms become more pronounced. 

Symptoms of Korsakoff’s Syndrome:

• Confusion and memory loss.
• Repeated questions.
• Difficulty learning new skills.
• Lack of emotions or personality changes.
• Lack of insight. 
• Creation of false memories.
• Concentration problems.

A patient with Korsakoff’s Syndrome will also require long-term treatment to help the individual cope with memory loss and permanent damage. 

Causes of WKS

The only cause of Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome is a vitamin Thiamine/B1 deficiency. An alcohol-use disorder is not always the primary cause but can also be attributed to dietary deficiencies, prolonged vomiting, eating disorders, or the effects of chemotherapy. 

What Is Alcoholic Neuropathy?

Alcoholic neuropathy, like all other alcohol-related brain diseases, is caused by excessive use of alcohol for a prolonged period. It is described as a burning sensation in the nerves. It is not well known, but there are some theories about how alcohol causes nerve damage. One idea is that alcohol puts stress on the nerves and spinal cord. It is also believed that the nutritional deficiency of thiamine and B1 may lead to neuropathy. Treatment recommendations are the same as WKS, such as eliminating alcohol and high doses of Thiamine and other B vitamins to improve patient symptoms. 

Symptoms of Alcoholic Neuropathy

It is believed that neuropathy symptoms may not appear until many years of chronic alcohol use. Symptoms can progress, impacting sensory, motor, and gait functions. Neuropathy primarily consists of a burning, painful sensation. However, later it can move to weakness in one’s extremities. This impacts a person’s gait over the months and years. 

What Is Alcoholic Cerebellar Degeneration?

Alcoholic Cerebellar Degeneration is another form of brain damage caused by one’s severe alcohol-use disorder. This damage impacts the nerves in the back of the brain, also known as the cerebellum. 

Cerebellar Degeneration can result from alcohol use disorder and vitamin deficiencies of B1 or Thiamine. Alcohol or nutrition-related Cerebellar Degeneration occurs during middle age. Research suggests that 12-27% with alcoholism will develop a form of Cerebellar Degeneration. 

Symptoms of Alcoholic Cerebellar Degeneration

Symptoms of Cerebellar Degeneration May Include:

• Balance problems.
• Decreased muscle tone.
• Double vision.
• Poor muscle coordination.
• Problems holding head or limbs up.
• Tremors.
• Unsteady gait.

What Is Marchiafava-Bignami Disease?

Marchiafava-Bignami Disease is a rare disorder caused by significant alcohol use and primarily the degeneration of the part of the brain known as the corpus callosum. As previously mentioned, brain damage caused by alcohol is believed to be due to a significant lack of B vitamins. The severity of symptoms is profound, and even with treatment, most likely, the person will likely die from this disease. 

Symptoms of Marchiafava-Bignami Disease

As with many neurological conditions, this disease can be acute, subacute, or chronic. 

Common Symptoms of Marchiafava-Bignami Disease: 

• Dementia.
• Trouble speaking.
• Spastic muscle movements. 
• Inability to walk. 
• Lack of consciousness.
• Seizures.
• Coma.

Treatment for Alcohol-Related Brain Damage

Knowing that alcohol is the leading contributor to alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD), the most important thing you can do is to abstain from alcohol use entirely.

 In addition, please seek medical care to assess the damage and identify what you may need to improve or reduce the progression of the disease. As stated, partial or perhaps even full recovery is possible if treatment is made early. However, if alcohol use continues and symptoms progress past a certain point, the prognosis for a complete recovery diminishes. 

It may be necessary for individuals with ARBD to seek medical detoxification. At Guardian Recovery, we combine medication-assisted treatment (MAT) options, around-the-clock medical supervision, and a range of specialized addiction services to provide the most comprehensive and individualized alcohol detox program.