A disease of central nervous system (CNS) metabolism due to a lack of vitamin B1 (thiamine) seen in chronic alcoholism. wernicke’s encephalopathy is the acute phase of the disease; korsakoff’s syndrome is the chronic phase. Wernicke’s encephalopathy features irregularities of eye movements, incoordination, impaired thinking, and often sensorimotor deficits. Korsakoff’s syndrome is characterized by confabulation and, more importantly, by a short-term, but not immediate, disturbance that leads to gross impairment in memory and learning. Wernicke’s encephalopathy and korsakoff’s syndrome begin suddenly and are often found in the same person simultaneously.
The result of damage to the brain as a result of vitamin Bi deficiency, commonly associated with alcohol abuse. Affected subjects show clear signs of neurological damage (Wernicke’s encephalopathy) with psychiatric changes (Korsakoff’s psychosis) characterised by loss of recent memory and confabulation (the invention of fabulous stories).
A form of brain damage caused by severe nutritional deficiencies in people with long-term alcoholism.
Condition resulting from severe deficiency of thiamine marked by loss of memory and personality changes. Alcoholism usually precedes this development.
A group of symptoms found in people with chronic alcoholism, which include abnormalities of the brain, abnormal eye movements, changes in the pupils of the eye, unstable gait, and psychosis. Treatment consists of vitamins such as thiamine (vitamin B1), as well as glucose, detoxification, and improved nutrition.
A life-threatening brain disorder caused by vitamin B1 (thiamin) deficiency. The most common cause of vitamin B1 deficiency is malnutrition as a result of chronic alcohol use or alcoholism. Less commonly, a deficiency of this vitamin is associated with excessive vomiting or kidney dialysis. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is composed of two separate disorders: Wernicke encephalopathy (also known as Wernicke disease) and Korsakoff psychosis (also known as Korsakoff syndrome). Wernicke encephalopathy is a brain disorder characterized by confusion, abnormal eye movements, and an unsteady gait. The symptoms of Korsakoff psychosis are the impairment of memory and cognitive skills; a hallmark of this syndrome is confabulation, or the concoction of detailed, realistic stories about situations or experiences in order to compensate for gaps in memory.
A collection of symptoms observed in individuals, particularly alcoholics, resulting from a deficiency of the B vitamin thiamine. These symptoms encompass difficulties with eye movements, tremors, and confusion.
This rare brain disorder is typically associated with malnutrition and primarily manifests in individuals with chronic alcohol dependence. On occasion, it may also develop in individuals with cancer.
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome arises due to a shortage of thiamine, impacting both the brain and the nervous system.
This disease comprises two distinct stages: Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s psychosis. Wernicke’s encephalopathy typically emerges suddenly and is characterized by symptoms such as nystagmus (abnormal, jerky eye movements), ataxia (difficulty coordinating body movements), sluggishness, and confusion. Individuals affected often exhibit signs of neuropathy (nerve damage), such as loss of sensation, tingling sensations, or diminished reflexes. Without prompt treatment, their level of consciousness gradually deteriorates and can lead to coma and, ultimately, death.
If treatment is not administered promptly, Korsakoff’s psychosis can develop after Wernicke’s encephalopathy. Symptoms of Korsakoff’s psychosis include amnesia, apathy, and disorientation.
Wernicke’s encephalopathy requires immediate attention as it constitutes an emergency. Administering high doses of intravenous thiamine can often reverse most symptoms, sometimes even within hours. However, once the condition advances to Korsakoff’s psychosis, it typically becomes irreversible.