The Long-Term Effects of Alcohol on the Central Nervous System: Mechanisms, Cognitive Decline, and Associated Disorders

Authors

  • Marcelina Matuszewska Samodzielny Publiczny Szpital Kliniczny im.prof. W. Orłowskiego CMKP ul. Czerniakowska 231, 00-416 Warszawa https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2301-669X
  • Monika Brzozowska Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland, Jagiellońska 13/15, 85-067 Bydgoszcz https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5574-0059
  • Wiktoria Wardal Pediatric Hospital in Bielsko-Biała, ul. Sobieskiego 83, 43-300 Bielsko-Biała, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6665-2374
  • Natalia Furlepa Samodzielny Publiczny Zakład Opieki Zdrowotnej w Łukowie: Łuków, Poland, PL 21-400 Łuków, ul. Doktora Andrzeja Rogalińskiego 3 https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8163-2087
  • Robert Rzenno Samodzielny Publiczny Zakład Opieki Zdrowotnej w Myślenicach ul. Szpitalna 2, 32-400 Myślenice, Polska https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3838-3262
  • Karolina Wojciechowska Regionalny Szpital Specjalistyczny im. dr. Władysława Biegańskiego w Grudziądzu Doktora Ludwika Rydygiera 15/17, 86-300 Grudziądz https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4535-0327
  • Katarzyna Wicha 1st Military Clinical Hospital with Polyclinic of Independent Public Health Care Unit in Lublin Aleje Racławickie 23, 20-049 Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8822-2182
  • Natalia Sidz University Clinical Center in Gdansk, Poland 80-952 Gdańsk, Dębinki 7 https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0685-4175
  • Magdalena Tomaszewska Uniwersytecki Szpital Kliniczny nr. 1 im Norberta Barlickiego w Łodzi ul. Stefana Kopcińskiego 22, 90-153 Łódź https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4567-394X
  • Wiktoria Jedlikowska Heliodor Swiecicki Clinical Hospital, Poznań, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7874-9911

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2025.80.59611

Keywords

Alcohol, Central Nervous System, Neurotoxicity, Cognitive Decline, Chronic Alcohol Use, Neuroinflammation

Abstract

Prolonged alcohol use exerts significant and multifaceted effects on the central nervous system (CNS). These effects are mediated by mechanisms such as oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and disruptions in neurotransmission. Structural changes, including gray matter loss and hippocampal atrophy, underlie functional deficits such as memory impairment, cognitive decline, and emotional dysregulation. Chronic alcohol use also increases the risk of neurological conditions, including alcohol-induced dementia, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, and other neurodegenerative diseases. This review synthesizes current findings and highlights the urgent need for longitudinal studies to better understand these impacts and guide intervention strategies.

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Published

2025-04-28

How to Cite

1.
MATUSZEWSKA, Marcelina, BRZOZOWSKA, Monika, WARDAL, Wiktoria, FURLEPA, Natalia, RZENNO, Robert, WOJCIECHOWSKA, Karolina, WICHA, Katarzyna, SIDZ, Natalia, TOMASZEWSKA, Magdalena and JEDLIKOWSKA, Wiktoria. The Long-Term Effects of Alcohol on the Central Nervous System: Mechanisms, Cognitive Decline, and Associated Disorders. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. Online. 28 April 2025. Vol. 80, p. 59611. [Accessed 28 June 2025]. DOI 10.12775/JEHS.2025.80.59611.

Issue

Vol. 80 (2025)

Section

Medical Sciences

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Copyright (c) 2025 Marcelina Matuszewska, Monika Brzozowska, Wiktoria Wardal, Natalia Furlepa, Robert Rzenno, Karolina Wojciechowska, Katarzyna Wicha, Natalia Sidz, Magdalena Tomaszewska, Wiktoria Jedlikowska

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