A FEATURE OF ALCOHOLIC WERNICKES ENCEPHALOPATHY FAVORABLE TO THE MAINTENANCE OF MEMORY FUNCTION - VOMITING

Outcome in terms of progression to Korsakoff's psychosis is known to b e unlikely when the preceding thiamin deficiency syndrome, Wernicke's encephalopathy, does not follow heavy alcohol use. There is evidence t hat alcohol potentiates thiamin-related brain damage. It is argued her e that in heavy drinkers, if vomiting precedes the onset of the enceph alopathy, then the latter might develop at a time when tissue alcohol levels are close to zero. Any progression to Korsakoff's psychosis cou ld then be associated with less or even no impairment. This outcome wo uld not be expected if ingestion of alcohol continued during the vomit ing stage. In a follow-up study of 61 cases of alcoholic Wernicke's en cephalopathy, these concepts are given some support by the results obt ained.