Korsakoff syndrome

Also known as AKS or alcoholic Korsakoff syndrome.

When AKS occurs with Wernicke encephalopathy, the diagnosis is Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

 

Pathophysiology

It is caused by vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency.
There is neuronal loss in the medial thalamus and mammillary bodies of the posterior hypothalamus. There is generalised cerebral atrophy.

Symptoms

• Anterograde amnesia
• Retrograde amnesia 
• Apathy

 

Signs

• Confabulation 
• Poverty of speech
• Lack of insight

 

Risk factors

• Chronic alcohol misuse
• Poverty
• Psychiatric disorders