Alcoholims

Question 1

Werncicke Korsakoff syndrome causes

Answer 1

B1 vitamin deficiency, TPP deficiency

Seen almost only in chronic alcoholics from malnutrition.

Question 2

Wernicke’s syndrome

Answer 2

Wernicke’s encephlopathy, alcoholic encephalopathy

Triad of: Confusion, Ataxia, Ocular muscle paralysis or Nystagmus

Optic disc swelling followed by Retinal hemorrhage is also often seen

Mamillary body, hypothalamus, thalamus, periaqueductal gray, cerebellum, and frontal lobe degeneration.

It is a medical emergency and is easily lethal without treatment.

IV infusion of Thiamine hydrochloride

Some symptoms may be reversible but there will be permanent deficits even after treatment.

Question 3

Korsakoff syndrome

Answer 3

Usually follows Wernicke’s encephalopathy, which is why they’re usually paired as a name. Rapid thiamine replacement may prevent korsakoff syndrome but not always.

Always involves

• Anterograde amnesia
• and/or Variable retrograde amnesia

Plus one of the following:

• Aphasia
• Apraxia - inability to perform learned or purposeful movements
• Agnosia - inability to process sensory information. Can see fine but can’t process it.
• Exceutive functional deficit.