What Is Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome?

Wernicke-Korsakoff SyndromeW (KS) is an encephalopathy caused by vitamin B1 deficiency.

Wernick-Korsakov syndrome

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Wernicke-Korsakoff SyndromeW (KS) is an encephalopathy caused by vitamin B1 deficiency.

TCM disease name

Wernick-Korsakov syndrome

English name

Wernicke-Korsakoff SyndromeW-KS

Common causes

Vitamin B1 deficiency

Contagious

no

Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) was reported as early as 1881 under the name "hemorrhagic polio". Korsakoff first reported multiple psychosis caused by alcoholism in 1987 and was named Korsakoff syndrome (KS). In recent years, WE and KS are more commonly regarded as different stages of the same disease, and they have common causes and pathology, so they are called W-KS.

Wernicke-Korsakov syndrome consists of two sets of symptoms: acute confusion (an encephalopathy) and long-term persistent amnesia. The syndrome is often caused by a lack of vitamin B1. Drinking a lot of alcohol without ingesting foods containing vitamin B1 causes a lack of vitamin B1 in brain tissue. Malnourished patients who drink a lot of water at one time or a large amount of intravenous fluid after surgery can also cause Wernicke's encephalopathy.

Patients with acute Wernicke's encephalopathy often present with gait instability, eye symptoms (such as ophthalmoplegia, diplopia, nystagmus), confusion, and lethargy. Memory disorders are severe and are usually corrected quickly after intravenous vitamin B1. If left untreated, Wernicke's encephalopathy can be fatal. Based on this, vitamin B1 treatment should be given immediately if alcoholics show unusual neurological symptoms or confusion.

Korsakov's amnesia usually occurs with Wernicke's encephalopathy, and if the encephalopathy is severe or repeated, or after abstinence, Korsakov's amnesia can persist. Severe amnesia is often accompanied by irritability and delirium. Chronic Korsakoff patients have immediate memory, but recent and long-term memory loss, and sometimes memory for longer-term events still exists. Although he can't recall events that happened days, months, years, or minutes ago, chronic Korsakov forgotten patients can conduct methodical communication and engage in other social activities. Because of being trapped by forgetfulness, patients often tend to fabricate lies (fiction) without acknowledging their loss of memory.

Although Korsakoff's amnesia is more common in patients with vitamin B1 deficiency, the disease can also be seen in patients with severe brain trauma, cardiac arrest, and acute encephalitis. Vitamin B1 administration in patients with alcoholism can correct Wernicke's encephalopathy but does not always improve Korsakov's amnesia. Sometimes, after quitting alcohol or treating other related diseases, this forgetfulness can gradually disappear on its own.