Neurocognitive impairment in alcoholics: review and comparison with cognitive impairment due to AIDS.

Abstract

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. The nature of the dysfunction and specific neuropsychiatric and neurodiagnostic tests will be reviewed. There are important treatment implications regarding these subtle changes in mental function. Treatment implications will also be summarized. Finally, a comparison will be made between the cognitive impairment experience by patients with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome from that experienced by alcoholics.