What does "ETOH dementia" mean??

[Frankiegus]

Does this mean that dementia is developed due to alcohol abuse? If, so how chronic use of alcohol affect one's cognitive ability and/or impair SNS??? What is the mechanism of this particular type of dementia?? Could anyone please help with my question?  

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

That abbreviation usually means what you stated....the mechanism is destruction of brain cells by the toxic effect of alcohol or temporary swelling due to the same cause.

[boogieman]

Hi there. What you are referring to is also known as wernicke-korsakoff syndrome which usually results from a thiamine deficiency seen in chronic alcoholism. In some cases it is treatable if caught in time but often the damage is irreversible. Hope this helps-GM

[Frankiegus]

Hello Dr. Gould,
Thank you for your quick and prompt answer to my question!
So, can I assume that alcohol is hypotonic to intracellular fluid of the brain cells?? Perhaps, does this why it causes the brain cells to swell, which affects one's cognitive ability?

thanks,
--frank