Estate Planning

When the Bottle Hits Back: Korsakoff's Syndrome

By Hull & Hull LLP

Korsakoff's syndrome is a brain disorder usually associated with chronic, excessive alcohol consumption. At the physiological level, Korsakoff's is caused by a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, which ultimately affects the brain and the central nervous system. In the context of alcoholism, this thiamine deficiency comes about as a result of poor diet as well as an impeded ability of the stomach lining to absorb vitamins.

Korsakoff's predominantly affects men between the ages of 45 and 65. Women tend to develop the disease at an earlier age than men. According to the Alzheimer's Society UK, it takes about 20 years for the disease to develop in men, whereas it takes about half that time to develop in women.

At first glance, one with Korsakoff's syndrome may appear fairly normal. An in-depth assessment, however, would reveal symptoms including:

... Memory loss, particularly of events post-onset of the disease;
... Impaired ability to acquire new information;
... Lack of insight into the condition;
... Perseveration (repetitive comments or questions);
... Eye movement disorders; and
... Confabulation, or ‘falsification of memory' in which the sufferer makes up events to cover up their inability to remember events.

Once Korsakoff's develops, recovery is unlikely, however the progression of the disease can be halted with abstinence from alcohol. Treatment for Korsakoff's is comprised of thiamine therapy, as well as the administration of medications usually given to people with Alzheimer's disease.

Jennifer Hartman, Guest Blogger
 

Full post as published by Toronto Estate Law Blog on January 18, 2010 (boomark / email).