Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

Alternative names:

alcoholic encephalopathy; encephalopathy, alcoholic; Korsakoff psychosis; Wernicke's disease

Definition:

A brain disorder involving loss of specific brain functions, due to thiamine deficiency.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome usually affects people between 40 and 80 years old. The onset is gradual.

The syndrome is actually two disorders that may occur independently or together. Wernicke's disease 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 and intellect/cognitive skills such as problem solving or learning, along with multiple symptoms of nerve damage. 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.