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Korsakoff’s syndrome (other names are: organic Korsakoff’s syndrome, Korsakoff’s psychosis, Korsakoff’s amnestic syndrome, sometimes also known as Wernicki-Korsakoff’s syndrome) is a neuropsychiatric disease that causes symptoms similar to amnesia. The disease is named after the physician Sergei Korsakov, who published a series of articles on the disease in 1887-1891.
Symptoms of Korsakoff’s syndrome
Sometimes Korsakoff’s syndrome called Wernicki-Korsakoff syndromebecause it gives two types of symptoms: neurological, i.e. Wernicki’s encephalopathy, and psychiatric in the form of Korsakoff’s amnestic syndrome.
Patients with Korsakoff’s syndrome have severe memory impairment while remaining conscious.
Patients with Korsakoff’s syndrome they have incoherent gait, impaired sensation and movement control, develop nystagmus and pupil unevenness, which may also not respond to light, convulsions and damage to peripheral nerves, skin lesions and reddening of mucous membranes (this symptom is relatively rare). Patients have a drooping upper eyelid and double vision occurs.
The neurological symptoms are accompanied by those of the psyche. Patients with Korsakoff’s syndrome have current memory disorders – they cannot remember or recall new information. In addition, the patient has trouble recalling past events, is unable to establish their chronology, memories become chaotic, unrelated and disordered. In order to fill in the memory gaps, the patient z Korsakoff’s syndrome begins to invent new stories, thus creating confabulations. There are also disorders such that the patient with Korsakoff’s syndrome he loses sense of time, cannot think in an abstract way, and cannot cope with the placement of objects in space. The patient has difficulties in acquiring new information and difficulties in understanding its meaning, is unable to choose the right words and put them in the right context. Sometimes in patients with Korsakoff’s syndrome hallucinations and personality changes appear – the patient is lethargic and anxious or, on the contrary, he is talkative and hyperactive.
At the same time, the patient has the ability to think logically and consciousness, and responds correctly to commands.
In rare cases, in Korsakoff’s syndrome complete amnesia.
Korsakoff’s syndrome confirmed on the basis of the medical history and the examination of vitamin B1 concentration in the patient’s blood or urine. In case of doubt, an MRI of the brain or a CT scan of the head can be performed. This will show the reason for the occurrence of related symptoms Korsakoff’s syndrome.
In some cases, a psychiatric examination alone is sufficient to make a diagnosis – in Korsakoff’s syndrome nervous system symptoms are not always present.
The causes of Korsakov’s syndrome
The immediate cause of Korsakoff’s syndrome there is a deficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine) that causes irreversible changes in the brain or damage to the parts of the brain responsible for the proper course of memory processes. Symptoms of Korsakoff’s syndrome they are often caused by alcohol abuse, poor diet and eating disorders (anorexia and bulimia), and cancers of the stomach and intestines. These diseases are associated with the impaired absorption of thiamine (vitamin B1) from the gastrointestinal tract. The same happens with excessive alcohol consumption, which damages the walls of the small intestine. Vitamin B1 deficiency adversely affects the parts of the brain responsible for memory and association processes.
Sometimes the symptoms of Korsakoff’s syndrome They also occur after stroke and as a result of brain tumors that damage the parts of the brain that control memory.
Treatment methods for Korsakoff’s syndrome
Korsakoff’s syndrome is treated by giving the patient high doses of vitamin B1 intravenously. The success of treatment depends on the general condition of the patient and the stage of the disease. The changes in the brain caused by long-term thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency are irreversible. Mental changes appearing in patients with Korsakoff’s syndrome are difficult to heal completely – only 25% of patients recover.
When symptoms have been fully or partially healed Korsakoff’s syndrome the patient must follow the rules of a healthy diet in the next stage and completely eliminate alcohol consumption. A low-carbohydrate diet is also recommended.
Treatment of Korsakoff’s syndrome in the first stage, it takes place in the hospital, which allows to monitor the patient’s condition and apply therapy for accompanying symptoms and complications of the disease. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
At a later stage, in addition to changing diet and habits, it is useful for treatment Korsakoff’s syndrome there is also psychotherapy.
Duration of treatment of Korsakov’s syndrome may be up to a year. In some cases, permanent memory and walking problems may remain.
Untreated Korsakoff syndrome in most cases it is fatal from lung infection, sepsis, or irreversible brain damage.