Korsakoff's syndrome is a long-term condition that develops when Wernicke's encephalopathy is left untreated, or is not treated soon enough. Over time, the ...SkiptomaincontentHomeAboutdementiaTypesofdementiaWernicke–KorsakoffsyndromeWernicke–KorsakoffsyndromeFindoutaboutWernicke–Korsakoffsyndrome,aconditioncausedbydrinkingtoomuchalcohol, includinginformationonsymptoms,diagnosisandtreatment.Alcohol-relatedbraindamage(ARBD):whatisitandwhogetsit?Alcohol-related‘dementia’Youarehere:Wernicke–KorsakoffsyndromeTipsforsupportingapersonwithARBDAlcohol-relatedbraindamage(ARBD)-usefulresourcesAlcohol-relatedbraindamageSavethisinformationGetacopyOrderbypostWhatisWernicke–Korsakoffsyndrome?Wernicke–Korsakoffsyndromeisaconditionthatissimilartodementiaandiscausedbydrinkingtoomuchalcohol.Veryrarely,Wernicke–Korsakoffsyndromecanbecausedbyfactorsotherthanalcohol.Themajorityofcasesarecausedbyalcohol,andalcohol-related‘dementia’isthefocusofthisinformation. InWernicke–Korsakoffsyndromethedamagetothebrainiscausedinaveryspecificway.Alcoholpreventsthebodyfromgettingenoughthiamine(vitaminB1),whichisvitalforbraincellstowork properly.ThislackofvitaminB1canhavesevereandlong-lastingeffectsonthebrain.Wernicke–Korsakoffsyndromehastwoseparatestages.Firsttherewillbeabrieftimewhenaperson hasintenseinflammation(swelling)oftheirbrain.Thisisknownas‘Wernicke’sencephalopathy’.Ifthisconditionisn’ttreatedquickly,thepersonmaydevelopamorelong-termconditioncalled‘Korsakoff’ssyndrome’.Thishasmanyofthesamesymptomsofdementia.Aboutaquarterofthepeopleaffectedby Wernicke–Korsakoffsyndromewhogettreatmentmakeagoodrecovery.Abouthalfmakeapartialrecoveryandstillneedsupporttomanagetheirlives.Aboutaquarterofpeoplewiththeconditionmakenorecoveryandmayneedlong-termcare inaspecialistresidentialcarehome.Wernicke’sencephalopathyKorsakoff’ssyndromeWhatisWernicke’sencephalopathy?Wernicke’sencephalopathydevelopsifaperson’sbraindoesn’tgetenoughthiamine(vitaminB1).Thisisalmostalwayscausedbyapersondrinkingtoomuchalcohol.Alcoholpreve