Question

Korsakoff's syndrome is related to

• A. Alcohol abuse
• B. Drug abuse
• C. Smoking abuse
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is A Alcohol abuse

Korsakoff's syndrome is caused by lack of thiamine (vitamin B${}_1$), which affects the brain and nervous system. People who drink excessive amounts of alcohol are often thiamine deficient. This is because many heavy drinkers have poor eating habits and their diet does not contain essential vitamins and alcohol can interfere with the conversion of thiamine into the active form of the vitamin (thiamine pyrophosphate). Alcohol can inflame the stomach lining, cause frequent vomiting and make it difficult for the body to absorb the key vitamins it receives. Alcohol also makes it harder for the liver to store vitamins. Although Korsakoff's syndrome is not strictly speaking a dementia, people with this condition can experience loss of short-term memory.