The Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Jul-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a combination of Korsakoff's syndrome which constitutes confusion, aphonia and confabulation and Wernicke's encephalopathy which is nystagmus, opthalmoplegia, coma and, if untreated, death. It is also known as cerebral beriberi, which is beriberi (thiamine deficiency disease) in the brain.

This condition results from severe acute deficiency of thiamine superimposed on a chronic deficiency. It is usually found in malnourished chronic alcoholics.

The diagnosis can be confirmed by measuring blood levels of thiamine. The treatment for this is to reverse the thiamine deficiency by giving supplemental thiamine - usually by starting with an initial intravenous or intramuscular dose followed by supplemental oral doses.

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