Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
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📋Overview
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a combined neurological disorder encompassing two related conditions: Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome. It results from severe thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, most commonly due to chronic alcohol misuse. Wernicke encephalopathy is an acute neuropsychiatric emergency characterized by confusion, eye movement abnormalities, and ataxia. If untreated, it can progress to Korsakoff syndrome, a chronic condition marked by profound memory impairment and confabulation. The term 'Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome' is a legacy label describing this spectrum of thiamine deficiency-related brain damage.
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