Alcohol Related Brain Damage (ARBD) is an umbrella term that reflects the long-term consequences of alcohol consumption on the brain. Whilst the link between alcohol and liver damage or cancer for example, is well recognised, the association between alcohol consumption and long-term cognition, function and behaviour is often overlooked. Causative conditions include Wernicke’s encephalopathy, Korsakoff’s dementia, alcohol related central pontine myelinolysis and Marchia-Fava Bignami disease.

ARBD, or alcohol related cognitive impairment, is occasionally incorrectly associated with antenatal alcohol exposure (resulting in foetal alcohol syndrome) and intoxication related brain injuries, falls or assaults. The latter do not typically reflect the directly cytotoxic (cell damaging) effect that chronic alcohol may have on neuronal cells, the gastrointestinal system lining and nutrient absorption, and liver metabolism. All of which can lead to the following frequently reported long-term impairments (see table 1 on blog website)....