Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome in alcoholic and nonalcoholic patients: clinical and neuropsychological presentation

Abstract

Background. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) is a relatively common neurological disorder due to thiamine deficiency. Approximately 80% of cases with WKS pathology are not diagnosed during life. Untimely diagnosis is associated with poorer patient outcome. WKS most frequently occurs in combination with alcohol use disorder. The relative roles of thiamine deficiency and excessive alcohol consumption in cognitive dysfunction remain unclear. Previous research of WKS in people without alcohol use disorder is limited. Aims. To enhance understanding of nonalcohol-related WKS and WKS in general by demonstrating the presence and variability of the major acute neurological and chronic cognit..