Alcool et troubles cognitifs chez la personne âgée.

Adults in Switzerland drink an average of two glasses of wine per day. Alcohol abuse and cognitive disorders are closely linked, especially in elderly persons. The clinical examination must look for signs of malnutrition and include a neuropsychological examination when the Mini Mental State is pathological. In the presence of signs suggestive of a Gayet-Wernicke syndrom, an intravenous B1 vitamin therapy must be initiated for prophylactic or therapeutic treatment. Cognitive impairment is a factor of poor prognosis for the treatment of alcohol dependence, but should not lead to abandon treatment efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]