Abstract
The present report reviews the literature on dementia associated with alcoholism, as denned by DSM-III-R criteria. It is concluded that little is known about its clinical features, clinical course, and prognosis. Alcoholic dementia may overlap with Korsakoff's syndrome and is likely to have a multifactorial etiology. As a result, it is difficult to marshal evidence that alcoholic dementia is a distinct entity. The clinical implications of this diagnostic label are discussed and suggestions for changing the present criteria are indicated.