Alcohol Dementia - Wet Brain

Wet Brain

Wet Brain, also called Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, is a form of alcohol related dementia that results from severe thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency usually caused by alcoholism, poor nutrition, or poor absorption. The disease starts with Wernicke's Encephalopathy, and often progresses, if not treated, to Korsakoff's Psychosis.

The Korsakoff's Psychosis patient has severely impaired short-term recall, but this patient has excellent long-term memory and other intellectual functions.

Alcohol dementia is sometimes considered as synonymous with wet brain, however, dementia expert Richard E. Powers, MD considers alcohol dementia and wet brain as two separate forms of ARD. Primary treatment is similar for both forms, namely cessation of drinking and vitamin B replacement. A broader definition, such as "alcohol related dementia" has been introduced to encompass both forms of alcohol related cognitive disorders.