Like many other forms of Ataxia, complex Ataxia caused by chronic alcohol is marked by poor balance and coordination. In fact, the word Ataxia means incoordination.  

People with Alcohol-Related Cerebellar Degeneration typically have progressive balance and gait problems. There may also be mild ataxia in the arms. However, there is usually severe leg ataxia. Unlike other forms of ataxia, people with Related Cerebellar Degeneration tend to have minimal speech or eye movement symptoms. These symptoms are chronic. They tend to appear slowly over time.  

The symptoms associated with Wernicke encephalopathy are sudden and severe. People with Wernicke encephalopathy tend to develop sudden-onset balance and coordination problems, vision problems (nystagmus), and episodes of confusion. Some people may also experience muscle loss.  Wernicke encephalopathy worsens over time and can be life-threatening. Emergency treatment with Thiamine is critical. If someone is experiencing these symptoms, call your doctor or 911 immediately.  

Korsakoff syndrome usually, but not always, occurs after an episode of Wernicke encephalopathy. In addition to balance and vision symptoms, people with Korsakoff syndrome have dementia. They often have a hard time learning new information and may have long-term memory gaps. People with Korsakoff syndrome may “confabulate,” or make up information to fill the gaps they can’t remember. This is not intentional lying or deception, as people who confabulate will believe these fabricated memories as true.  

There are three main symptom groupings for people with Marchiafava-Bignami Disease. In its acute form, people have a sudden loss of consciousness, seizures, and changes in mood. The subacute form causes depression and ataxia. The chronic form causes dementia, hallucinations, and behavior changes. Overall, Marchiafava-Bignami Disease is quite rare, with fewer than 300 known cases worldwide.