A type of dementia, Alzheimer's disease most commonly affects people older than the age of 60, though MedlinePlus notes that a less common form of the disease can present much earlier. Patients with Alzheimer's disease have a progressive worsening of neurological functioning, leading to a loss of function. Alcoholism, a physical dependence on alcohol, also affects memory and behavior, and may lead to severe neurological impairment. Though the diseases share some symptoms, a direct link between the two has yet to be demonstrated in scientific studies.
Identification
MedlinePlus explains that a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease requires that patients demonstrate impairments of judgment, memory, personality, decision-making and language that becomes progressively worse. For example, memory problems with moderate Alzheimer's disease includes forgetting information about current events and personal history. As a patient advances to severe Alzheimer's disease, he can no longer remember his family members.
With alcoholism, symptoms also include memory lapses, as well as a tolerance for alcohol, withdrawal symptoms and behavioral changes, such as neglecting responsibilities, drinking alone and becoming hostile when confronted.
Effects on the Brain
MedlinePlus points out that three types of changes commonly occur to the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients: neuritic plaques, senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. With the plaques, dying nerve cells create clusters around protein, while with the tangles, pieces of protein become twisted up among nerve cells. As Alzheimer's disease progresses, other changes to the brain can occur. For example, the hippocampus, a part of the brain responsible for memory, becomes smaller. Other changes include shrinkage of the cortex and enlargement of the ventricles, which are areas of the brain filled with cerebrospinal fluid.
Alcoholism may also cause changes in the brain. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism notes that alcoholism may also lead to shrinking of the brain, though unlike Alzheimer's disease, amount of shrinkage may decrease if alcohol cessation occurs.
Significance
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism explains that scientists have looked at whether alcohol consumption increases a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, though the results are mixed. For example, ScienceDaily reports that a study conducted at the University of Valencia found that alcohol may have a protective effect against Alzheimer's disease in women who do not smoke. Biological mechanisms suggest a connection between alcoholism and Alzheimer's disease, since both conditions affect the cholinergic system, which is involved in memory.
Considerations
A consideration in whether a link exists between alcoholism and Alzheimer's disease is a method used in studies. For example, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism points out that case-control studies, which compare alcohol use in groups of people with Alzheimer's disease and people without Alzheimer's disease, may not have significant findings due to small group size or because they begin collecting data after the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
Treatments
With Alzheimer's disease, no cure exists. MedlinePlus explains the goals for treatment include slowing the progression, managing the symptoms, changing the home environment to meet the patient's needs and supporting loved ones of the patient. Medication such as donepezil may help slow the progression of the disease, but will not stop it.
With alcoholism, treatment involves getting the alcoholic to stop drinking, which may involve a rehabilitation program, support group, medication or combination of these treatments. Left untreated, alcoholism may result in conditions that severely affect cognitive functioning, such Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome or dementia.
References
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse
- ScienceDaily: Alcohol Consumption May Protect Against the Risk of Alzheimer's Disease, Particularly in Female Nonsmokers, Study Finds
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Alzheimer's Disease
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Alcohol Use and the Risk of Developing Alzheimer's Disease
- Alzheimer's Association: Healthy Brain versus Alzheimer Brain
