Did you know that Korsakoff's syndrome is a neurological disorder caused by the lack of thiamine (vitamin B1) in the brain?

Did you know that Korsakoff's syndrome  is a neurological disorder caused by the lack of thiamine (vitamin B₁) in the brain?

Did you know that the syndrome is named after Sergei Korsakoff, the neuropsychiatrist who popularized the theory?

Did you know that there are six major symptoms of Korsakoff's syndrome?

1. anterograde amnesia^[1] and
2. retrograde amnesia, severe memory loss
3. confabulation, that is, invented memories which are then taken as true due to gaps in memory sometimes associated with blackouts
4. meager content in conversation
5. lack of insight
6. apathy - the patients lose interest in things quickly and generally appear indifferent to change.

Did you know that Korsakoff's involves neuronal loss, that is, damage to neurons; gliosis which is a result of damage to supporting cells of the central nervous system; and hemorrhage or bleeding in mammillary bodies?

Damage to the dorsomedial nucleus or anterior group of the thalamus (limbic-specific nuclei) is also associated with this disorder?

Signs

• Apathy
• Ataxia
• Coma
• Confabulation
• Paralysis of muscles controlling the eye
• Retrograde and anterograde amnesia
• Tremor
• Anosognosia - Lack of insight to or awareness of the condition

Did you know that vitamin deficiency help increase the effects Korsakoff's syndrome?

Did you know that chronic alcoholism and severe malnutrition also increase the chance that one might develope Korsakoff's syndrome?

Did you know that mercury poisoning can also lead to Korsakoff's syndrome?

Did you know that centipede (mukade) bites in Japan also cause Korsakoff's syndrome?



 There is no specific treatment because the previous thiamine deficiency produces irreversible damage to the medial thalamic nuclei and mammillary bodies. Mammillary body atrophy may be visible on high-resolution MRI.^[8]

Did you know that the most effective method of preventing Korsakoff's syndrome is to avoid B vitamin/thiamine deficiency?

Did you know that in Western nations the most common causes of such deficiency are alcoholism and weight disorders?

Did you know that in the  U.S., government mandates to adding thiamine to alcoholic beverages have been blocked for this reason and also by political groups asserting that such supplementation would encourage alcohol use.?

Did you know that Bobby Meide, a drummer for longstanding local rock band the Flamin' Ohs, passed away from Korsakoff's syndrome?

( 1950 - 2010.)



Now if you didn't know, now you know...

To see more did you know that trivia click here