Ethanol and cognition in elderly people

• Autor(a) principal: Sakai,Ana Paula Ferreira Silva
• Data de Publicação: 2014
• Outros Autores: Medeiros,Fabíola Veloso da Fonseca, Oliveira,Mariany Melo
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Geriatrics, Gerontology and Aging (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://ggaging.com/details/85
• topic: Elderly/aged; Ethanol; Alcoholism; Dementia; Cognition disorders

<p><b>INTRODUCTION:</b> Population aging is a universal phenomenon that causes an increase in the prevalence of typical health problems of the elderly, most chronic degenerative diseases, mental and behavioral disorders, among whom alcoholism and cognitive impairment, are pointed in some work as psychiatric disorders often found in over 60 patients. Alcoholism is a public health problem, and interferes with the subjects life in bio-psycho-social aspects alcoholics and elderly are more vulnerable to the harmful consequences of alcohol, mild cognitive impairment to advanced dementia.<br> <b>OBJECTIVE:</b> To review the literature on the relationship between alcohol and cognitive function in the elderly.<br> <b>RESULTS:</b> We identified limited research on psychoactive substances among the elderly; 2-10% of older people do abuse alcohol; chronic alcoholism in the elderly is an etiological factor in cognitive disorders; difficulties in identifying these case.<br> <b>DISCUSSION:</b> Alcoholism and alcohol abuse can accelerate brain aging and clinically presenting acutely with transient cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration in chronic use, neurotoxicity and impairment of cerebral metabolism occurs, causing mild cognitive impairment to irreversible lesions with dementia installed.<br> <b>CONCLUSION:</b> The ratio of alcohol and cognitive function in the elderly is complex and arouse interest in research in this area. The term alcoholic dementia is still questioned. However, it is a generic term to describe the cognitive and behavioral changes caused by chronic alcohol use with symptoms predominantly in frontal areas with damage in the functionality and quality of life. Therefore, it is necessary to understand mental disorders in the elderly and detect them early, for immediate intervention and promotion of healthy aging.</p>