Promising strategies for the prevention of alcohol-related brain damage through optimised management of acute alcohol withdrawal: A focussed literature review

There is an increasing awareness of the link between chronic alcohol consumption and the development of cognitive, behavioural and functional deficits.Currently, preventative strategies are limited and require engagement in dedicated long-term rehabilitation and sobriety services, the availability ofwhich is low. The acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome is an episode of neurochemical imbalance leading to autonomic dysregulation, increased seizurerisk and cognitive disorientation. In addition to harm from symptoms of alcohol withdrawal (e.g. seizures), the underpinning neurochemical changesmay also lead to cytotoxicity through various cellular mechanisms, which long-term, may translate to some of the cognitive impairments observed inAlcohol-Related Brain Damage (ARBD). Here we review some of the pharmacological and neurochemical mechanisms underpinning alcohol withdrawal.We discuss the cellular and pharmacological basis of various potential neuroprotective strategies that warrant further exploration in clinical populationswith a view to preventing the development of ARBD. Such strategies, when integrated into the clinical management of acute alcohol withdrawal, mayimpact large populations of individuals, who currently face limited dedicated service delivery and healthcare resource.