title: [Alcohol-induced cognitive disorder: alcohol dementia].
abstract: Cognitive impairment is frequently observed in patients with alcohol misuse or alcohol addiction. Multiple cognitive functions are reduced in these patients. Frontal lobe functions, as planning, abstract thinking, set shifting or continuous performance are most frequently affected. Alcohol amnestic syndrome, alcohol dementia and the Wernicke-Korsakow-Syndrome constitute distinct entities. Alcohol dementia follows the diagnostic criteria of dementia with clear evidence for alcohol abuse or alcohol addiction. The diagnostic procedure of alcohol-induced cognitive impairment includes medical history, physical and neuropsychiatric examinations; laboratory examinations, neuropsychological assessment, brain imaging and electroencephalographic recordings. At the moment, there are no established treatment options for alcohol-induced cognitive impairment. Some evidence is provided that nootropics might be of benefit. Alcohol abstinence is a most important step. Psychosocial interventions are essential to support the patients in their daily activities.
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinik für Psychiatrie, Anichstrasse 35, A-6020 Innsbruck. j.marksteiner@uibk.ac.at
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marksteiner
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bodner
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gurka
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D020915:Korsakoff Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D014899:Wernicke Encephalopathy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology
vernacular_title: Alkoholinduzierte kognitive Störung: Alkoholdemenz.