When the brain doesn't have enough thiamine it causes cell death, which is essentially brain damage. The term alcoholic wet brain arose because of the condition's association with drinkers, but it can also happen to people who can't absorb nutrients from food.
To many, the term “wet brain” is mysterious and perplexing. In its simplest form, wet brain describes a severe and persistent type of brain damage brought on by long-term alcohol misuse.
What is the life expectancy of a wet brain patient?
How long can a person live with “wet brain”? Life expectancy Wet brain, or Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, is highly variable. One study found over 50% of patients diagnosed with the condition are expected to die within 8 years.
It most commonly affects the sections of the brain involved in memory, such as the thalamus and hypothalamus. The most commonly experienced symptoms of Wernicke's encephalopathy are ophthalmoplegia (eye movement disorders such as lateral nystagmus), ataxia and confusion.
WKS is a potentially reversible condition. The severity of a person's symptoms, how early a person begins treatment, and the type of treatment that they receive can all have a significant impact on whether a case of WKS can be reversed or alleviated. Some people may make a full recovery, although this is rare.
Wet brain syndrome is a form of dementia that primarily affects chronic, long-term alcoholics at the end stages of their disease. The illness is formally known as Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, and it occurs in two separate stages.
Hydrocephalus can be due to a wide variety of etiologies, one of which is excessive alcohol use [1]. Chronic alcohol use can lead to Korsakoff's encephalopathy, which can cause permanent brain damage if not treated promptly.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is pivotal in diagnosing and managing various neurological disorders, including 'wet brain' or Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
The good news—if caught early enough—is that wet brain syndrome is a preventable, treatable disease if you stop drinking and seek help. Intense thiamine replacement therapy and abstinence from alcohol can result in a noticeable improvement in both mental and physical functioning within weeks.
Russia and Australia have the highest prevalence of alcohol dependence overall, with 2.61 per cent and 2.58 per cent, respectively. According to the WHO, US has the lowest rate of alcohol dependence with only 1.92 per cent.
Adults aged 55 to 64 were the most likely to drink more than 14 units each week while adults aged 16 to 24 were the least likely (30% vs 15%). The proportion of adults drinking more than 14 units each week declined from 26% to 24% between 2011 and 2022.
The phrase “wet brain” has become a widely used slang term for Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome. While it's commonly recognized, some consider the term stigmatizing or insensitive because it oversimplifies a serious medical condition and can reinforce negative stereotypes about people struggling with alcohol use disorder.
The majority of cases are caused by alcohol, and alcohol-related 'dementia' is the focus of this information. In Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome the damage to the brain is caused in a very specific way. Alcohol prevents the body from getting enough thiamine (vitamin B1), which is vital for brain cells to work properly.
Wernicke's encephalopathy – This is the acute form of wet brain and includes symptoms such as confusion, weakness, vision changes, and difficulty walking. Korsakoff's psychosis – This is the chronic form of wet brain and often occurs after Wernicke's encephalopathy.
In support of postmortem neuropathological studies showing degeneration of white matter, MRI studies have shown a specific vulnerability of white matter to chronic alcohol exposure. Such studies have demonstrated white-matter volume deficits as well as damage to selective gray-matter structures.
Korsakoff psychosis can cause long-lasting or permanent damage, making early intervention with Wernicke's encephalopathy crucial. However, with consistent treatment and abstinence from alcohol, some recovery of memory and cognitive function is possible, although it may be incomplete.
What is the life expectancy of a person with a wet brain?
There is no cut-and-dry wet brain life expectancy; some people completely recover after developing wet brain, while others deal with symptoms for the rest of their lives due to the brain damage. If someone sees improvement, it typically happens within the first two years of treatment after developing wet brain.
Following opioid intoxication, respiratory compromise ensues, causing anoxic encephalopathy and diffuse oedematous swelling of the brain. A form of toxic leukoencephalopathy causing cerebellar oedema and hydrocephalus has also been described resulting from inhalation of heroin, and also from methadone poisoning [1, 3].
Hydrocephalus is an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) deep within the brain. This excess fluid causes the ventricles (cavities) within the brain to widen, putting harmful pressure on the brain's tissues.
Can wet brain be mistaken for something else? Yes. Wet brain is frequently misdiagnosed as dementia, bipolar disorder, depression, or even alcohol intoxication, especially in its early stages. This makes early intervention even more critical.
What Are the Final Stages of Wet Brain? Often, when a person doesn't receive treatment for wet brain, Wernicke's disease can develop into Korsakoff's psychosis. In this stage, serious memory loss and other damage to the brain can become permanent.
Most individuals that develop Korsakoff's syndrome, at the very least, will require supported living as they will become unable to live independently and can be a danger to themselves. This is why this condition is so devastating, and prevention is so important.
