Disorders and treatment regarding Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

Disorders and treatment regarding Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

Introduction

Korsakoff syndrome and Wernicke's encephalopathy are two different yet similar brain damage conditions resulting because of thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency. This is common in people suffering with alcoholism and people whose body does not metabolize food effectively, usually after surgeries related to obesity. It is interested to note that it is usually when Wernicke's symptoms go away that Korsakoff syndrome starts to develop. Damage is caused to the hypothalamus and thalamus (the lower part of the brain) by Wernicke's encephalopathy, while damage to areas in the brain concerned with memory results ...