Korsakoff's Syndrome

Now almost everyone knows what Alzheimer’s is; it’s a different type of AMNESIA that you would mostly find elders diagnosed with, but did you know there’s another type of amnesia, also known as Korsakoff’s syndrome? Well KORSAKOFF’S SYNDROME or Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome as others call it, is a brain damage caused by prolonged thiamine deficiency. Now, this disorder is mostly in CHRONIC ALCOHOLICS who go for weeks at a time on a diet of nothing but alcoholic beverages, practically lacking in vitamins. The symptoms of Korsakoff’s syndrome are similar to those of people with damage to the prefrontal cortex, including APATHY, CONFUSION, and MEMORY LOSS.

A distinctive symptom of Korsakoff’s syndrome is CONFABULATION, it’s when patients fill in memory gaps with guesses. What I love about TNT’s new show PERCEPTION, not only because it leaves you interested for more, but you learn a lot from it. This is actually where I first heard of Korsakoff’s syndrome.

Here’s another example; in 1979 Dr. Ken Shaw and Allan Thomson worked with CHRONIC ALCOHOL USERS. When it comes to malnourished alcoholics, side effects include; Phase 1: RESTLESS, EXCITABLE, and DELIRIOUS stage to a LETHARGIC stage of confusion. Phase 2: Staggering gait or inability to walk. But what captured my attention was the most common stage known as PSYCHOSIS. Dr. Shaw worked with a patient that was diagnosed with MEMORY DISTURBANCE by testing him with a delayed-response task. The patient couldn't form new memories, unless he was using his working memory.

Now, you probably thought that my main focus was on Alzheimer’s, but surprisingly, the point that I was trying to get across was ALCOHOLISM and what could happen if you took it too far. Though some people who tend to drink know the consequences, they think they can handle their liquor. Alcohol can have a harmful effect on nerve cells in the brain cortex. Information like this, reminds me that there is a reaction to every action. Let me put it this way, just because other people believe that in order to have a “good time,” you need to drink. Question is; would you risk your life, just to have a “good time”?