The Neurops ychologic Features of Alcohol-Related Dementia

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Recent studies indicate that heavy alcohol drinking is a significant factor for dementia. There are little studies for the neupsychology of alcohol-related persistent dementia patients in Korea. The main purpose of our study is investigate the results of neuropsychological test and neuroimaging of alcoholic dementia. METHODS: Eleven inpatients meeting DSM-IVcriteria for alcohol-related persistent dementia were examined with careful history taking, Seoul neuropsychological screening battery and brain CT. RESULTS: The mean K-MMSE, CDR scores were 18.4+/-3.8, 1.4+/-0.5, respectively. Language functions including spontaneous speech, comprehension, repetition, reading, writing were almost normal, except K-BNT. Attention, visuospatial function, calculation, orientation, memory, frontal executive function were severely impaired. Diffuse brain atrophy was the main finding on the brain CT. Personality changes including impulsivity, apathy, lack of motivation were observed most of the patients. CONCLUSION: Alcohol-induced persistent dementia subjects were impaired on the test of attention, visuospatial function, calculation, orientation, memory, frontal related function, but language function was relatively preserved.