Some reported alcoholics develop parkinsonism, a group of neurological disorders that cause movement problems similar to those seen in Parkinson's disease, after alcohol withdrawal [100].
Other recent studies indicate that heavy drinking may increase the risk of a person developing Parkinson's and other neurological disorders.
Animal experiments, which can control many factors, have established that alcohol can cause damage to brain cells (i.e., neurons), which results in their loss of structure or function (i.e., neurodegeneration) in multiple brain regions, similar to the damage found in human alcoholics.
People with PD who experience tremor usually experience improvement in their symptoms with levodopa therapy. People with ET may get relief from their tremor with primidone and propranolol. Also, the tremor from ET can be improved with alcohol consumption, whereas alcohol consumption has no effect on a tremor from PD.
Other people with ARBD will have more serious problems with their memory and thinking. Alcohol-related 'dementia' or Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome will cause them to struggle with day-to-day tasks. This is similar to someone living with dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease.
Early Stage Alcohol-Related Dementia
People are generally able to live independently during the early stages of dementia, but subtle memory problems, such as losing items frequently, may occur. People with early-stage dementia may also find it more difficult to make complex decisions and express themselves.
Wernicke's Encephalopathy is a deterioration of brain tissue, and the symptoms include confusion and disorientation, numbness in the hands and feet, rapid random eye movements (sometimes called 'dancing eyes'), blurred vision, and poor balance and gait (walking unsteadily).
Alcohol abuse and tremor
The most frequent alcohol-associated tremor is postural. This is seen when a limb or body part is held against gravity (such as holding the arms outstretched). It is seen both in advanced dependence and early withdrawal. Cerebellar signs set in following more prolonged exposure to alcohol.
Essential tremors are usually felt more when in motion, but Parkinson's tremors are felt more when at rest. Essential tremor symptoms can progressively get worse, but won't necessarily shorten the patient's life span.
The most typical tremor in Parkinson's is called a 'pill-rolling' rest tremor, as it looks like you are trying to roll a pill between your thumb and index finger. An action tremor. This can happen when you're doing something, like trying to hold a magazine or drink from a cup.
Once brain cells die, the effect of the brain damage is permanent. Thankfully, some of the changes in the alcoholic brain are due to cells simply changing size in the brain. Once an alcoholic has stopped drinking, these cells return to their normal volume, showing that some alcohol-related brain damage is reversible.
Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems including: High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems.
Several conditions fall into the category of Parkinson-like diseases. They can mimic Parkinson's symptoms, such as tremors, slow movements, and stiffness. Examples of conditions similar to Parkinson's include dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy, and progressive supranuclear palsy.
Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).
This condition mimics Parkinson's disease most closely early in its progression. Later, unique symptoms develop, including eye movement limitations and trouble swallowing, speaking, thinking, and sleeping.
Early symptoms of this disease are subtle and occur gradually. For example, people may feel mild tremors or have difficulty getting out of a chair. They may notice that they speak too softly, or that their handwriting is slow and looks cramped or small.
Resting tremor is one of the characteristic features of Parkinson's disease. However, there are a number of patients who typically have resting tremor alone for at least 5 years without development of other parkinsonian signs or symptoms. The etiology of an isolated resting tremor is still obscure.
Alcohol Tremors Vs.
essential tremor (ET). Alcohol tremors are typically associated with other withdrawal symptoms. ET is associated with involuntary shaking and difficulty with daily tasks. Alcohol tremors are caused by alcohol misuse disorder and withdrawal, while ET is a neurological condition of unknown cause.
As alcohol leaves the body of a heavy drinker, the brain is flooded with more activity, the nervous system becomes hyperactive, and you may experience alcohol tremors or shakes.
Alcohol makes it harder for the brain areas controlling balance, memory, speech, and judgment to do their jobs, resulting in a higher likelihood of injuries and other negative outcomes. Long-term heavy drinking causes alterations in the neurons, such as reductions in their size.
You may have seen an alcoholic gait before. It's an unsteady, staggering walk—but it doesn't necessarily point to an alcoholic losing the ability to walk. The cause of the alcoholic gait is cerebellar ataxia, a type of brain damage.
Studies of alcoholic individuals have consistently shown brain atrophy on MRI,15–18 and heavy alcohol use is associated with an increased risk of cerebral infarction.
For men, heavy drinking is typically defined as consuming 15 drinks or more per week. For women, heavy drinking is typically defined as consuming 8 drinks or more per week.