Normal cognitive performance in patients with chronic alcoholism in contrast to patients with Korsakoff's syndrome

This study investigated which cognitive deficits are associated with chroni c alcoholism. Neuropsychological profiles and MRI brain structure volumes o f 14 patients with Korsakoff's syndrome, 15 patients with chronic alcoholis m, and 16 healthy control subjects were compared. The patients with alcohol ism had a normal cognitive performance and normal brain structure volumes. The patients with Korsakoff's syndrome had performance deficits on tests of memory, visuoperceptual, and executive functions, as well as reduced brain structure volumes. The results suggest that the cognitive deficits cannot be ascribed to mere chronic consumption of alcohol. If cognitive deficits a re present in patients with chronic alcoholism, this may point to an underl ying brain disorder.