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Ency. home > Disease > W > Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Korsakoff psychosis; Alcoholic encephalopathy; Encephalopathy - alcoholic; Wernicke's disease

Definition:

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a brain disorder involving loss of specific brain functions, due to a thiamine deficiency.

Causes and Risks

The syndrome is actually a spectrum. Korsakoff´s typically develops as the Wernicke's subsides. Wernicke's encephalopathy involves damage to multiple nerves in both the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (the rest of the body).

It may also include symptoms caused by alcohol withdrawal. The cause is generally attributed to malnutrition, especially lack of vitamin B-1 (thiamine), which commonly accompanies habitual alcohol use or alcoholism.

Korsakoff syndrome, or Korsakoff psychosis, involves impairment of memory out of proportion to other cognitive functions. The most distinguishing symptom is confabulation (fabrication) where the person makes up detailed, believable stories about experiences or situations to cover the gaps in the memory. Korsakoff psychosis involves damage to areas of the brain involved with memory.

Ency. home > Disease > W > Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

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