Alcohol-related brain damage

See also: Long-term impact of alcohol on the brain

Alcohol-related brain damage[1][2] alters both the structure and function of the brain as a result of the direct neurotoxic effects of alcohol intoxication or acute alcohol withdrawal. Increased alcohol intake is associated with damage to brain regions including the frontal lobe,[3] limbic system, and cerebellum,[4] with widespread cerebral atrophy, or brain shrinkage caused by neuron degeneration. This damage can be seen on neuroimaging scans.[5]

Frontal lobe damage becomes the most prominent as alcoholics age and can lead to impaired neuropsychological performance in areas such as problem solving, good judgment, and goal-directed behaviors.[3] Impaired emotional processing results from damage to the limbic system. This may lead to troubles recognizing emotional facial expressions and "interpreting nonverbal emotional cues".[3]

Binge drinking, or heavy episodic drinking, can lead to damage in the limbic system that occurs after a relatively short period of time. This brain damage increases the risk of alcohol-related dementia, and abnormalities in mood and cognitive abilities. Binge drinkers also have an increased risk of developing chronic alcoholism. Alcoholism is a chronic relapsing disorder that can include extended periods of abstinence followed by relapse to heavy drinking. It is also associated with many other health problems including memory disorders, high blood pressure, muscle weakness, heart problems, anaemia, low immune function, liver disease, disorders of the digestive system, and pancreatic problems. It has also been correlated with depression, unemployment, and family problems with an increased risk of domestic abuse.

Gender and parental history of alcoholism and binge drinking has an influence on susceptibility to alcohol dependence as higher levels are typically seen in males and in those with a family history.[6]

  1. ^ Zahr, Natalie M.; Kaufman, Kimberley L.; Harper, Clive G. (May 2011). "Clinical and pathological features of alcohol-related brain damage". Nature Reviews Neurology. 7 (5): 284–294. doi:10.1038/nrneurol.2011.42. ISSN 1759-4758. PMC 8121189. PMID 21487421.
  2. ^ "10th Special Report to the U.S. Congress on Alcohol and Health: Highlights from Current Research" (PDF). National Institute of Health. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. June 2000. p. 134. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 February 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2014. The brain is a major target for the actions of alcohol, and heavy alcohol consumption has long been associated with brain damage. Studies clearly indicate that alcohol is neurotoxic, with direct effects on nerve cells. Chronic alcohol abusers are at additional risk for brain injury from related causes, such as poor nutrition, liver disease, and head trauma.
  3. ^ a b c Oscar-Berman, Marlene (June 2003). "Alcoholism and the Brain". Alcohol Research & Health. 27 (2): 125–133.
  4. ^ Sutherland, Greg (1 January 2014). "Neuropathology of alcoholism". Alcohol and the Nervous System. Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Vol. 125. pp. 603–615. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-62619-6.00035-5. hdl:2123/19684. ISBN 9780444626196. ISSN 0072-9752. PMID 25307599.
  5. ^ Nutt, David; Hayes, Alexandra; Fonville, Leon; Zafar, Rayyan; Palmer, Emily O.C.; Paterson, Louise; Lingford-Hughes, Anne (4 November 2021). "Alcohol and the Brain". Nutrients. 13 (11): 3938. doi:10.3390/nu13113938. ISSN 2072-6643. PMC 8625009. PMID 34836193.
  6. ^ Courtney, Kelly E.; Polich, John (January 2009). "Binge Drinking in Young Adults: Data, Definitions, and Determinants". Psychological Bulletin. 135 (1): 142–156. doi:10.1037/a0014414. ISSN 0033-2909. PMC 2748736. PMID 19210057.