However a direct comparison cannot apply as these two conditions have phenomenological and aetiological differences; BDNF levels are increased in vitro and in vivo following acute alcohol exposure but are reduced with chronic use [30] and genetic variants are associated with alcohol withdrawal delirium [31].
Signs of sympathetic hyperactivity, such as tachycardia, hypertension, fever, and diaphoresis, are often profound hallmarks of alcohol withdrawal delirium (Bayard et al., 2004).