21st November 2023

Alcohol Related Brain Damage

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a favourite for paper A.

Alcohol use disorder is often associated with a thiamine deficiency. Over time, this can lead to Wernicke’s encephalopathy, where the following features are seen:

A – Ataxia.

G – Global confusion.

O – Ophthalmoplegia.

Wernicke’s encephalopathy can occur in other conditions such as dietary deficiencies, prolonged vomiting, eating disorders, etc as well. Thiamine (vitamin B1 deficiency) leads to damage to the thalamus and hypothalamus, which causes the various symptoms listed above.

It is crucial to start thiamine as soon as possible, as inappropriate treatment may lead to Korsakoff syndrome, which is composed of amnesia, disorientation, and confabulation. The mortality rates also average at about 20% if treatment is delayed. Korsakoff’s syndrome damages the neurons and supporting cells of the nervous system. The overall incidence of Korsakoff’s syndrome has considerably declined, possibly due to better nutrition.

Confabulation, in essence, is an attempt of the brain to create false memories in an attempt to fill in gaps in memory.

References

• NICE CKS. (n.d) Alcohol-problem drinking- Complications. Available online at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/alcohol-problem-drinking/background-information/complications/#:~:text=Alcohol%20-%20problem%20drinking%3A%20What%20are%20the%20complications%3F [Accessed March 2023]