Korsakoff's syndrome

From Psy3242

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[[Category:Neuropsychological syndromes]]
[[Category:Neuropsychological syndromes]]
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==Overview==
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Korsakoff's syndrome is a degenerative neurological condition caused by a thiamine (B1) deficiency, which is itself often caused by alcoholism and other forms of malnutrition.
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==Symptoms==
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Symptoms of Korsakoff's syndrome include:
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-  amnesia (retrograde, anterograde, or both), due to the degeneration of the hippocampus
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-  lack of general interest
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-  confabulation (details and memories created by a person and taken as true by him/her)
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-  tremors and/or ataxia (lack of muscle coordination)
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==Treatment and Prognosis==
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While the most severe stages of the condition lead to coma and death, if caught early enough, recovering can be made through the use of intravenous thiamine supplements, and by improving general health and nutrition. The brain damage that occurs during the disease, however, is irreversible.
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==Sources==
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Wikipedia

Revision as of 03:33, 28 April 2008

Contents

Overview

Korsakoff's syndrome is a degenerative neurological condition caused by a thiamine (B1) deficiency, which is itself often caused by alcoholism and other forms of malnutrition.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Korsakoff's syndrome include: - amnesia (retrograde, anterograde, or both), due to the degeneration of the hippocampus

- lack of general interest

- confabulation (details and memories created by a person and taken as true by him/her)

- tremors and/or ataxia (lack of muscle coordination)

Treatment and Prognosis

While the most severe stages of the condition lead to coma and death, if caught early enough, recovering can be made through the use of intravenous thiamine supplements, and by improving general health and nutrition. The brain damage that occurs during the disease, however, is irreversible.

Sources

Wikipedia

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