Neurocognitive Impairment in Alcoholics: Review and Comparison with Cognitive Impairment Due to AIDS (From AIDS and Substance Abuse, P 107-116, 1988, Larry Siegel, ed., -- See NCJ-119722)

• NCJ Number: 119730
• Author(s): M I Pohl
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 10 pages
• Sale Source: Haworth Press, Inc
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This review indicates that cognitive dysfunction and dementia, specifically caused by chronic alcohol use, consist of subtle changes in cognition which are easily missed and/or forgotten.

Abstract

The nature of the dysfunction and specific neuropsychiatric and neurodiagnostic tests are reviewed, as well as important treatment implications regarding these subtle changes in mental function. When differentiating cognitive impairment caused by alcoholism from that caused by AIDS, there are several factors to consider. In chemical dependency, there is primarily toxic damage, and in AIDS there is predominantly infectious damage. With alcoholic cognitive impairment there is atrophy with increased ventricular size. With AIDS, there is a generalized slowing which is related to subcortical dysfunction. Alcoholic dysfunction is gradual and reversible; AIDS is usually relentless and irreversible. 1 table, 13 notes. (Author abstract modified)