Do I Have Korsakoff Syndrome?

Do you feel confused or disorientated?

Do you have loss of muscle coordination (ataxia) that can cause leg tremor?

Do you have slow, unsteady gait or difficulty standing or walking without assistance?

Do you have vision changes such as double vision?

Do you have abnormal eye movements (back and forth movements called nystagmus)?

Do you have a drooping upper eyelid?

Do you have problems or inability learning new information?

Do you have inability to remember recent events (a person may seem able to carry on a coherent conversation but moments later is unable to recall that the conversation took place or with whom they spoke)?

Do you have loss of memory?

Do you have gaps in your memory so you invent stories to fill them?

Do you see or hear things that are not really there (hallucinations)?

Do you drink alcohol excessively (drinking 8 drinks or more per week if you are a woman, or drinking 15 drinks or more per week if you are a man)?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have Korsakoff syndrome. Korsakoff syndrome is a medical condition characterized by long-term memory problems caused by severe thiamine deficiency (vitamin B1 deficiency). The brain cells produce energy from sugar with the help of thiamine. When thiamine levels are very low, brain cells do not have enough energy to function properly. In most cases, Korsakoff syndrome is related to alcohol misuse. This condition is also common in people whose bodies do not absorb food properly. Korsakoff syndrome can also be associated with poor nutrition, weight-loss surgery, chronic infections, AIDS and cancer.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have Korsakoff syndrome. Korsakoff syndrome is a brain disorder that is caused by deficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine). Korsakoff syndrome is characterized by chronic memory loss. It is often preceded by an episode of Wernicke's encephalopathy. Wernicke's encephalopathy is a condition that causes life-threatening brain disorders, confusion, lack of coordination and abnormal eye movements. For that reason, this type of memory disorder is called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. However, some people with Korsakoff syndrome did not have a previous episode of Wernicke's encephalopathy. Like other types of dementia, Korsakoff syndrome often remains undiagnosed.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have Korsakoff syndrome. Korsakoff syndrome is a type of condition known as alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD). It usually develops gradually causing damage in several parts of the brain. Korsakoff syndrome is characterized by severe loss of short-term memory, while other abilities may remain intact. However, some people may experience random loss of long-term memories, while others create imaginary events to fill in the holes in their memory. Since, Korsakoff syndrome occurs due to thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, treatment involves the immediate administration of thiamine, which can be continued daily for several months.