Alcohol amnestic disorder
Alcohol amnestic disorder is a type of cognitive disorder associated with chronic alcoholism. It is characterized by a long-term memory deficit, in the absence of clouded consciousness and other cognitive abnormalities.
Definition[edit | edit source]
Alcohol amnestic disorder, also known as alcohol-induced persisting amnestic disorder, is a condition in which a person's ability to recall personal experiences or learned information is impaired due to the long-term use of alcohol. This disorder is not due to a general medical condition and is not better accounted for by another mental disorder.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
The primary symptom of alcohol amnestic disorder is memory impairment, which can be both anterograde (difficulty forming new memories) and retrograde (difficulty recalling past events). Other symptoms may include confusion, disorientation, and problems with attention or concentration.
Causes[edit | edit source]
The exact cause of alcohol amnestic disorder is not known, but it is believed to be due to the direct effects of alcohol on the brain, particularly the hippocampus, a region involved in memory formation. Chronic alcohol use can lead to neurotoxicity, which can damage neurons and lead to memory impairment.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of alcohol amnestic disorder is based on the patient's history of alcohol use, the presence of memory impairment, and the exclusion of other potential causes of amnesia. Neuropsychological testing may be used to assess the extent of memory impairment.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for alcohol amnestic disorder involves abstaining from alcohol and treating any underlying nutritional deficiencies, particularly thiamine deficiency, which is common in people with chronic alcoholism. Cognitive rehabilitation may also be beneficial.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The prognosis for alcohol amnestic disorder varies. Some people may experience a partial or complete recovery of memory function with abstinence from alcohol and appropriate treatment, while others may have persistent memory deficits.
See also[edit | edit source]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
