Abstract

SILVA, André  and  ENES, André. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome: a literary review on its neuroanatomical basis. Arq Med [online]. 2013, vol.27, n.3, pp.121-127. ISSN 2183-2447.

High consumption of alcohol, not only by the adult population but also, and ever increasing, by younger strata, presents itself as a worrisome public health issue. One of the possible consequences of chronic alcohol consumption is the development of the Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. it is a group of neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms induced by a nutritional deficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine). This disease, without proper treatment, can progress to a state of stupor, coma and even death. The authors shed a light on its pathophysiology and manifestations and, in the process, a literary review was undertaken.

Keywords : Wernicke encephalopathy; Korsakoff Syndrome; alcoholism; nutritional; status.

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