Alcoholic dementia, also called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, is caused by a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that alcohol abuse interferes with the body's breakdown of thiamine, even if the patient has a well-balanced diet. Alcoholic dementia is a two-stage disorder: starting with Wernicke's encephalopathy, the acute phase of the disorder, and then progressing to Korsakoff psychosis, the chronic phase of the disorder, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
Mobility Problems
In the acute phase of alcoholic dementia, the patient has mobility problems, according to the Alzheimer's Association. The patient can have a lack of coordination, called ataxia, which results in unsteadiness when walking. He also can have muscle weakness that impairs his walking ability. These short-term mobility problems will go away once the chronic phase begins.
Vision Problems
Alcoholic dementia also can cause vision impairment in the patient. She may have abnormal eye movements, such as the eyeball moving side to side when she tries to maintain a steady gaze. Eyelid drooping and double vision also can occur. As with the mobility problems, the patient should not experience the vision problems once the chronic phase of alcoholic dementia occurs.
Memory Problems
As with other forms of dementia, alcoholic dementia results in memory problems when the patient enters the chronic phase. These problems occur in two phases. At first, the patient can have problems forming new memories, which affects her ability to learn; then, she experiences severe memory loss. The memory loss can result in disorientation and confusion. The NINDS adds that a person with alcoholic dementia also can have attention problems. These symptoms are long-term, and the patient may never regain the lost memories.
Confabulation
Confabulation, in which the patient makes up information, is a result of the memory loss. The patient is not intentionally lying; he is making up these stories to fill in the gaps of his memory. In addition, the patient believes his confabulations and will not admit he is making them up. The confabulation is also a long-term symptom of alcoholic dementia.
