Korsakov syndrome

Introduction Korsakov syndrome is a sequela of chronic alcoholism. Korsakoff syndrome, also known as organic amnesia syndrome, was first reported by the Russian psychiatrist Korsakoff. Expressed as selective cognitive dysfunction, including near-forgetting, time and spatial orientation disorders, without comprehensive mental decline.

Cause

This syndrome was originally thought to be only a characteristic symptom of chronic alcoholism. Chronic alcoholism with thiamine deficiency is a common cause. However, gastric cancer with severe nutritional deficiencies associated with thiamin deficiency often causes this disease. And cerebral hypoxia caused by cardiac arrest and self-destruction.

an examination

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Brain CT examination brain MRI examination EEG examination brain nerve examination

(1) Diagnostic basis for non-ethanol-toxic Korsakov syndrome

This syndrome is attributed to organic amnesia syndrome.

(1) There is memory impairment, which is manifested by impaired near memory and impaired ability to learn new materials.

(2) Orthographic and retrograde forgetting, with the ability to recall past experiences from near and far.

(3) A history or basis of brain trauma or disease (especially damage to the bilateral medial and temporal medial structures).

(4) Immediate recall is not impaired (for example, using a numerical breadth test), lack of attention, consciousness, and total intellectual damage.

(5) Sometimes accompanied by fiction, lack of self-awareness and emotional changes (apathy, lack of priming), but these symptoms are not necessary for diagnosis.

(B) the basis of diagnosis of ethanol-induced Korsakov syndrome

(1) Memory impairment manifested as near memory impairment (learning new material); time sensation disorder (rearrangement of the occurrence timing of events, compression of several things that occur repeatedly into one, etc.).

(2) No immediate recall of damage, loss of consciousness, and widespread cognitive impairment.

(3) Chronic (especially high dose) history or objective basis for the use of ethanol or drugs.

(4) Personality changes with obvious apathy, lack of initiative, and self-neglect may also exist, but are not necessary for diagnosis.

Differential diagnosis

Korsakov syndrome must be differentiated from an organic syndrome characterized by memory impairment (such as dementia or delirium). The main point of identification is that the psychological defect of dementia patients is not limited to memory, other intelligence is also impaired, in addition to personality decline. Deaf patients are conscious and pay attention to damage. Korsakoff syndrome is unconsciously damaged. It must also be distinguished from segregation and forgetting. Separation forgetting is often accompanied by retrograde forgetting. The only difference is that segregation forgetting can be changed by hypnosis or venting.

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