Wernicke - Korsakoff syndrome

Abstract

Alcohol abuse is one of the most serious problems in public health and the Wernicke -Korsakoff syndrome is one of the gravest consequences of alcoholism. The pathology is often undiagnosed in its less evident presentations, therefore an accurate diagnostic approach is a critical step in treatment planning. Treatment is based on restoration of thiamine, although this is insufficient to prevent the psychological decline of a great number of patients. The cognitive impact of the pathology is derived from the interaction of alcoholic neurotoxicity, thiamine deficiency and personal susceptibility. In this article, the literature concerning WernickeKorsakoff syndrome is reviewed. © The Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine, 1997.