Dementia is an injury that results from an accumulation of toxic proteins in the brain.
This causes communication between brain cells to deteriorate, ultimately leading to memory loss and a myriad of other cognitive problems.
Signs of damage may progress slowly or be imminent, but identifying it early is essential to prolonging the quality of life of those who suffer from it.
A new study has suggested that alcohol abuse in the elderly can be one of the first warning signs of the disease.
A new cross-sectional study from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine has warned that heavy drinking after age 40 could be an early indication of cognitive decline.
The researchers concluded after evaluating 1,518 patients and finding that late-onset abuse affects 2.2% of patients.
Late alcohol abuse was significantly more common in patients with frontotemporal dementia than in those with Alzheimer’s dementia.
The results, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, also revealed that late-onset alcohol abuse was the first symptom to appear in 1.4% of all patients.
It was five times more common as a first symptom in patients with frontotemporal dementia than in those with Alzheimer-type dementia.
The team noted that since many patients who abuse alcohol later in life consult a psychiatrist, healthcare providers should be aware that binge drinking habits could hint at cognitive decline.
Georges Nassan, MD, associate professor of neurology and medical director of the Division of Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry, and senior study author, said:
“Our study aimed to identify and compare the frequencies of lifetime alcohol abuse, late-onset alcohol abuse, and alcohol abuse as the first symptom of dementia in a group of patients living with various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, Alzheimer’s and frontotemporal dementia.
What we find is that alcohol abuse may be the first sign of an underlying neurological condition presenting late in life.
In fact, up to seven percent of patients with frontotemporal dementia began abusing alcohol late in life, and five people did so as the first symptom of the disease. »
Frontotemporal disorders result from damage to neurons in the frontal and temporal regions of the brain.
The condition is often characterized by drastic personality changes, as some patients may engage in socially inappropriate, impulsive, and repetitive behaviors.
Decreased self-awareness has also led to a pronounced deterioration in personal hygiene habits.
According to hopkins medicine, symptoms of FTD they begin gradually and progress steadily and, in some cases, rapidly.
They can also vary from person to person, depending on the areas of the brain involved.
Mr. Nassan added:
“Yes OK it is important to identify social factors that may lead to alcohol misuse, such as retirement, loneliness, or loss of income/loved ones/housing, our data should prompt health workers to avoid systematically attributing alcohol abuse to these problems and encourage clinicians to investigate the possibility of frontal lobe dysfunction.
Therefore, a specific evaluation including looking for other frontal lobe symptoms should be performed and patients at risk should be referred to a neurologist.
Early and adequate diagnosis in these patients is essential to ensure the best care, improve the quality of life of patients and their families, and refer patients to the appropriate care centers.
Frontotemporal dementia is less common than other types, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
New research has shown that Nearly half of all cases of dementia are due to modifiable risk factors, such as high blood pressure and a sedentary lifestyle.
Addressing risk factors when they arise could be key to tackling the prevalence of dementia in years to come.
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