Korsakoff's syndrome

Korsakoff's syndrome (aka Korsakoff's psychosis, amnesic-confabulatory syndrome), is a continuum of Wernicke's encephalopathy, though a recognised episode of Wernicke's is not always obvious.

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Korsakoff's presents with symptoms of severe anterograde and retrograde amnesia, as well as confabulation.

Related Topics:
Anterograde - Retrograde - Amnesia - Confabulation

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These symptoms are caused by damage to mammillary bodies and other brain regions due to deficiency of thiamine (Vitamin B1).

Related Topics:
Mammillary bodies - Brain - Thiamine - Vitamin B

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This is most often caused by chronic alcoholism, though other conditions including severe malnutrition have been known to cause it.

Related Topics:
Alcoholism - Malnutrition

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When Wernicke's encephalopathy accompanies Korsakoff's syndrome, the combined syndrome is called the Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Related Topics:
Wernicke's encephalopathy - Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

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Pathologically, there is neuronal loss, gliosis, and hemorrhage in mammillary bodies.

Related Topics:
Pathologically - Neuronal loss - Gliosis - Hemorrhage

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Intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) injection of thiamine is used to treat this condition, though recovery is slow and often incomplete.

Related Topics:
Intravenous - Intramuscular - Injection - Thiamine

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A famous case study is recounted by Oliver Sacks in "The Lost Mariner", which can be found in The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat.

Related Topics:
Oliver Sacks - The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat

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