How many people have wernicke korsakoff syndrome

One areas of research is studying how exercise can improve cognitive functioning based on modulation of certain nerve cells in a rodent model of amnesia produced by by thiamine deficiency. Wernicke's encephalopathy is a degenerative brain disorder caused by the lack of thiamine vitamin B1. It may result from alcohol abuse, dietary deficiencies, prolonged vomiting, eating disorders, or the effects of chemotherapy.

B1 deficiency causes damage to the brain's thalamus and hypothalamus. Symptoms include mental confusion, vision problems, coma, hypothermia, low blood pressure, and lack of muscle coordination ataxia. Korsakoff syndrome also called Korsakoff's amnesic syndrome is a memory disorder that results from vitamin B1 deficiency and is associated with alcoholism.

Korsakoff's syndrome damages nerve cells and supporting cells in the brain and spinal cord, as well as the part of the brain involved with memory. Symptoms include amnesia, tremor, coma, disorientation, and vision problems, The disorder's main features are problems in acquiring new information or establishing new memories, and in retrieving previous memories. Although Wernicke's and Korsakoff's are related disorders, some scientists believe them to be different stages of the same disorder, which is called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Wernicke's encephalopathy represents the "acute" phase of the disorder and Korsakoff's amnesic syndrome represents the disorder progressing to a "chronic" or long-lasting stage. Treatment involves replacement of thiamine and providing proper nutrition and hydration. In some cases, drug therapy is also recommended. Stopping alcohol use may prevent further nerve and brain damage.

Koppel BS. Nutritional and alcohol-related neurologic disorders. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap So YT. Deficiency diseases of the nervous system. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. Updated by: Amit M. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Editorial team. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Symptoms of Wernicke encephalopathy include: Confusion and loss of mental activity that can progress to coma and death Loss of muscle coordination ataxia that can cause leg tremor Vision changes such as abnormal eye movements back and forth movements called nystagmus , double vision , eyelid drooping Alcohol withdrawal Symptoms of Korsakoff syndrome include: Inability to form new memories Loss of memory, can be severe Making up stories confabulation Seeing or hearing things that are not really there hallucinations.

Exams and Tests. The following tests are used to check a person's nutrition level: Serum albumin relates to person's general nutrition Serum vitamin B1 levels Transketolase activity in red blood cells reduced in people with thiamine deficiency Liver enzymes may be high in people with a history of long-term alcohol abuse. Monitoring and special care may be needed if the person is: In a coma Lethargic Unconscious Vitamin B1 is usually given by injection into a vein or a muscle as soon as possible.

This may improve symptoms of: Confusion or delirium Difficulties with vision and eye movement Lack of muscle coordination Vitamin B1 often does not improve loss of memory and intellect that occur with Korsakoff syndrome. Outlook Prognosis.

Scientists don't yet know why heavy drinking causes severe thiamine deficiency in some alcoholics, while others may be affected primarily by alcohol's effects on the liver, stomach, heart, intestines or other body systems. Korsakoff syndrome may sometimes be associated with disorders other than alcohol misuse, including anorexia, overly stringent dieting, fasting, starvation or weight-loss surgery; uncontrolled vomiting; AIDS; kidney dialysis; chronic infection; or cancer that has spread throughout the body.

Korsakoff syndrome causes problems learning new information, inability to remember recent events and long-term memory gaps. Memory difficulties may be strikingly severe while other thinking and social skills are relatively unaffected. For example, individuals may seem able to carry on a coherent conversation but moments later are unable to recall that the conversation took place or with whom they spoke.

Those with Korsakoff syndrome may "confabulate," or make up, information they can't remember. They are not "lying" but may actually believe their invented explanations. The person may also see or hear things that are not there hallucinations. Experts recommend that a medical workup for memory loss or other cognitive changes always include questions about an individual's alcohol use. Anyone admitted to the hospital for an alcohol-related condition should be professionally screened for memory loss and cognitive change.

The screening should include supplementary questions to assess recent memory. If screening suggests impairment, the person should receive a more detailed cognitive workup. Wernicke encephalopathy, a related disorder that sometimes precedes Korsakoff syndrome, is a medical emergency. Untreated, it causes death in up to 20 percent of cases and progresses to Korsakoff syndrome in 85 percent of survivors.

Abnormal eye movements that occur in Wernicke encephalopathy may respond to injectable thiamine within a few days. Lack of coordination and clumsiness may begin to improve after about a week but may take several months to clear up completely.

Confusion also takes several months to clear up. As confusion clears, the severe memory problems associated with Korsakoff syndrome may become more noticeable.

In those who develop Korsakoff syndrome with or without a preceding episode of Wernicke encephalopathy, there are few studies on long-term outcomes.

Some research suggests that those who recover from an episode may have a normal life expectancy if they abstain from alcohol.

Many experts also recommend that anyone with a history of heavy alcohol use who experiences symptoms associated with Wernicke encephalopathy, including acute confusion, prolonged nausea and vomiting, unusual fatigue or weakness, or low body temperature or blood pressure, be given injectable thiamine until the clinical picture grows clearer.

Once acute symptoms improve, individuals should be carefully evaluated to determine if their medical history, alcohol use and pattern of memory problems may be consistent with Korsakoff syndrome.