Efectos neuropsicológicos del síndrome Wernicke Korsakoff en pacientes alcohólicos.

Abstract

Introduction: Wernicke Korsakoff Syndrome is an encephalopathy caused by thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. It is commonly associated with prolonged and excessive alcohol consumption, leading to delayed identification, diagnosis, and intervention. Objective: To analyze the neuropsychological effects of Wernicke Korsakoff Syndrome in alcoholic patients. Methodology: The study design was a bibliographic review with a qualitative approach and a descriptive scope. It was conducted through a bibliographic record with content about the study variables. Results: Different neuropsychological alterations were found in the pathology of Wernicke Korsakoff Syndrome, including anterograde and retrograde amnesia, executive dysfunction, and personality changes. Excessive alcohol consumption is linked to memory loss, personality changes, self-control problems, and emotional changes, such as apathy. Conclusions: Wernicke Korsakoff Syndrome arises from several pathologies, including nutritional problems, vitamin absorption deficiency due to an unbalanced diet, and, most commonly, excessive alcohol intake. This combination of pathologies mentioned above alters several brain structures, for instance, the diencephalon, thalamus, prefrontal cortex, and cerebellum, resulting in multiple difficulties at the cognitive level, like amnesias, behavioral changes, and self-control failure. This issues have implications in individual, family, social, and occupational contexts.