| Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Korsakoff's psychosis, alcoholic encephalopathy,[1] "wet brain"[2] |
 | |
| Thiamine | |
| Specialty | Psychiatry, neurology |
| Symptoms | Confusion, vision problems, low body temperature, low blood pressure, memory loss, poor coordination[3] |
| Types | Wernicke encephalopathy, Korsakoff syndrome[3] |
| Causes | Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency[3] |
| Risk factors | Alcohol use disorder, eating disorders, malnutrition, prolonged vomiting, chemotherapy[3] |
| Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms after ruling out other possible causes[4] |
| Differential diagnosis | Alzheimer's, herpes encephalitis, transient global amnesia, concussion[5] |
| Treatment | Thiamine supplements, improved diet, stopping alcohol[3] |
| Frequency | 1-2% (USA)[5] |
Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) is a disorder which include Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) and Korsakoff syndrome.[3] Symptoms of Wernicke's include sudden onset confusion, vision problems, low body temperature, low blood pressure, and poor coordination.[3] Symptoms of Korsakoff's include memory loss, tremor, and vision problems and is long-term.[3] Most people who have untreated Korsakoff's develop Wernicke's.[4]
The cause is thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency.[3] This occurs most commonly due to alcohol use disorder; but may also result from eating disorders, malnutrition, prolonged vomiting, or chemotherapy.[3] The disorder involves damage to the brain.[3] Diagnosis is based on symptoms after ruling out other possible causes.[4]
Treatment involves thiamine supplements followed by an improved diet.[3] Alcohol should be stopped.[3] While many of the symptoms may improve, return of memory function is slow and often incomplete.[3] Without treatment 20% die and 75% are left permanently disabled.[6] About 25% require long-term institutionalization.[6] About 1 to 2% of people are affected in the United States.[5]
References edit
- ^ MedlinePlus Encyclopedia: Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
- ^ Wet Brain from Alcohol: Signs, Symptoms, and Recovery Archived 2021-07-01 at the Wayback Machine November 25, 2020
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome Information Page | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke". www.ninds.nih.gov. Archived from the original on 14 January 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
- ^ a b c "Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome - Brain, Spinal Cord, and Nerve Disorders". Merck Manuals Consumer Version. Archived from the original on 8 November 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
- ^ a b c "Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome". NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders). Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
- ^ a b Thomson, Allan D.; Marshall, E. Jane (2006). "The natural history and pathophysiology of Wernicke's Encephalopathy and Korsakoff's Psychosis". Alcohol and Alcoholism. 41 (2): 151–8. doi:10.1093/alcalc/agh249. PMID 16384871.