Bodamera Symptom

Bodamer Symptom is a sign of chronic alcoholism, which indicates a persistent impairment of consciousness that occurs with the systematic use of ethanol and is manifested by gross impairments of memory and thinking, focus and criticality of thinking, and the patient’s lack of correct understanding of his painful manifestations. The symptom was described by the German psychiatrist Boda-Mer (1921). Currently, in domestic medical practice there is only a description of this symptom; abroad it refers to “diagnostic signs of organic psychosyndromic symptoms of addiction.” The pathognomy of Bodamer's symptom lies in its pronounced originality, its low prevalence in patients with alcoholism and the rarity of its manifestation in addiction syndromes of other origins. With good reason, this symptom can be considered as a certain diagnostic criterion for diagnosing chronic alcohol intoxication.

The development mechanism is associated with the toxic effects of alcohol on brain centers that regulate the state and functioning of consciousness. Initially, there is a gradual weakening of the connections between the neurons of the brain, various functions of higher nervous activity gradually atrophy, and then disruptions in the processes of higher mental activity begin to appear. There is a drop in the tone of the cerebral cortex and then a violation of the synthesis of nucleic acids. The latter, in turn, prevent more intensive cell proliferation, which leads to the development of tumors. As a result, all connections in the body are depleted.

Patients have a perverted attitude towards alcohol, loss of the ability to recognize and regulate their need for alcoholic beverages, a decrease in criticism and rationality. Patients cannot assess the nature and intensity of intoxication