Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSigns of Wernicke EncephalopathySigns of Korsakoff SyndromePrevalenceRisk FactorsDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Signs of Wernicke Encephalopathy
Signs of Korsakoff Syndrome
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
When someone is deficient in thiamine, the brain is less able to process sugar into energy that it can use to function. This, in turn, may lead to the development ofsymptoms of dementia, including confusion and memory loss. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome can significantly affect life expectancy and needs immediate treatment.
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Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome consists of two separate conditions: Wernicke encephalopathy, which develops first, and then Korsakoff syndrome, which often presents as the symptoms of Wernicke encephalopathy are subsiding.
This article discusses the signs of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, its prevalence, and risk factors. It also covers what diagnostic tests are used, how it’s managed, and what the life expectancy is.
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome may also be referred to as Korsakoff psychosis, Wernicke’s encephalopathy, alcoholic encephalopathy, encephalopathy-alcoholic, alcohol dementia, Wernicke’s dementia, and Wernicke’s disease. Informally, some people also call this condition “wet brain” syndrome.
Symptoms of Wernicke encephalopathy include:
Wernicke encephalopathy symptoms are often categorized as a triad of ocular (eye), cerebellar (balance and body control), and confusion symptoms.
Wernicke encephalopathy is a condition that requires immediate medical attention and with appropriate treatment, can be reversible.
Symptoms of Korsakoff syndrome consist of:
Korsakoff syndrome is usually a chronic condition that typically, but not always, follows an episode of Wernicke encephalopathy.
How Common Is Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome?
Risks for Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
Diagnostic Tests for Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
In order to diagnose Wernicke encephalopathy, thiamine levels in the person’s blood should be tested. Thiamine is also known as vitamin B1.
Some cases of non-alcoholic Wernicke encephalopathy have been missed because other medical conditions are present, such as severe bipolar disorder or schizophrenia that caused eating disorders. Testing for thiamine disorders when acute confusion and disorientation is present is critical to identification and appropriate treatment.
Treatment and Management of Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
Wernicke encephalopathy requires immediate treatment which usually consists of high doses of thiamine given intravenously. Some research indicates that when Wernicke encephalopathy is due to alcohol misuse, the person may require a higher dosage of thiamine than when it develops from other causes.
Ongoing treatment for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome includes abstinence from alcohol, adequate nutrition, and vitamin supplementation.
Life Expectancy of Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
The prognosis for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is varied. With appropriate treatment, the Alzheimer’s Association estimates that approximately 25% of people will recover completely, about half will improve but not regain full functioning, and about 25% will remain about the same.
Any improvement in functioning usually occurs within the first two years after the symptoms began. Life expectancy may remain normal if the person does not drink alcohol.
According to the Merck Manuals, about 10%–20% of people with untreated Wernicke encephalopathy will not survive. However, with treatment, the prognosis of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is far superior when compared to that of Alzheimer’s disease and othertypes of dementiawhose declines are chronic and progressive, despite attempts of treatment.
Summary
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome requires immediate treatment with high doses of thiamine. With treatment, about 25% of people recover completely. Without treatment, about 10-20% of patients won’t survive.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Galvin R, Bråthen G, Ivashynka A, et al.EFNS guidelines for diagnosis, therapy and prevention of Wernicke encephalopathy.Eur J Neurol. 2010;17(12):1408-18. doi:10.1111/j.1468-1331.2010.03153.xKopelman MD, Thomson AD, Guerrini I, Marshall EJ.The Korsakoff syndrome: clinical aspects, psychology and treatment.Alcohol Alcohol.2009;44(2):148-54. doi:10.1093/alcalc/agn118National Organization for Rare Disorders.Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.Alzheimer’s Association.Korsakoff syndrome.Merck Manual Professional Version.Wernicke encephalopathy.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Galvin R, Bråthen G, Ivashynka A, et al.EFNS guidelines for diagnosis, therapy and prevention of Wernicke encephalopathy.Eur J Neurol. 2010;17(12):1408-18. doi:10.1111/j.1468-1331.2010.03153.xKopelman MD, Thomson AD, Guerrini I, Marshall EJ.The Korsakoff syndrome: clinical aspects, psychology and treatment.Alcohol Alcohol.2009;44(2):148-54. doi:10.1093/alcalc/agn118National Organization for Rare Disorders.Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.Alzheimer’s Association.Korsakoff syndrome.Merck Manual Professional Version.Wernicke encephalopathy.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Galvin R, Bråthen G, Ivashynka A, et al.EFNS guidelines for diagnosis, therapy and prevention of Wernicke encephalopathy.Eur J Neurol. 2010;17(12):1408-18. doi:10.1111/j.1468-1331.2010.03153.xKopelman MD, Thomson AD, Guerrini I, Marshall EJ.The Korsakoff syndrome: clinical aspects, psychology and treatment.Alcohol Alcohol.2009;44(2):148-54. doi:10.1093/alcalc/agn118National Organization for Rare Disorders.Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.Alzheimer’s Association.Korsakoff syndrome.Merck Manual Professional Version.Wernicke encephalopathy.
Galvin R, Bråthen G, Ivashynka A, et al.EFNS guidelines for diagnosis, therapy and prevention of Wernicke encephalopathy.Eur J Neurol. 2010;17(12):1408-18. doi:10.1111/j.1468-1331.2010.03153.x
Kopelman MD, Thomson AD, Guerrini I, Marshall EJ.The Korsakoff syndrome: clinical aspects, psychology and treatment.Alcohol Alcohol.2009;44(2):148-54. doi:10.1093/alcalc/agn118
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
Alzheimer’s Association.Korsakoff syndrome.
Merck Manual Professional Version.Wernicke encephalopathy.
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