Alcoholic memory loss, medically termed as Wernicke-Korsakoff's syndrome, is a result of severe alcoholism. The memory loss is due to a deficiency in thiamine, also known as vitamin B1. Alcohol consumption inhibits the breakdown of thiamine; even if the patient consumes an adequate amount of thiamine, not enough thiamine will be available to be used. The memory loss that can occur from Wernicke-Korsakoff's syndrome is quite severe.
Wernicke-Korsakoff's Syndrome
Alcoholic memory loss occurs in two stages: Wernicke syndrome and Korsakoff's syndrome. According to the National Institutes of Health, Wernicke syndrome and Korsakoff's syndrome were thought to be separate; however, Korsakoff's syndrome symptoms follow immediately after Wernicke syndrome symptoms are over. Korsakoff's syndrome is the only stage of the alcoholic memory loss where any memory loss occurs; Wernicke syndrome has the physical symptoms that indicates the beginning of thiamine deficiency.
Physical Symptoms
During the first stage of alcoholic memory loss, patients will experience both balance and vision problems. Ataxia, a balance condition, is common among patients with Wernicke-Korsakoff's syndrome. Patients with ataxia have uncoordinated and unsteady walking. Vision symptoms vary: the patient may have abnormal eye movements, double vision and eyelid drooping. These physical symptoms do not last---once the symptoms of Wernicke syndrome is over, the memory loss and mental symptoms begin.
Mental Symptoms
When the memory loss symptoms begin, they can be very severe. Wernicke-Korsakoff's syndrome affects the areas of the brain involved in memory. The patient can begin to confabulate, a condition where the patient makes up stories without realizing that he is lying. Hallucinations can also develop, where the patient hears or sees things that do not exist. As alcoholic memory loss becomes worse, the patient will be unable to form new memories, a condition called anterograde amnesia. In addition, severe memory loss, or retrograde amnesia, can seriously impair the life of the patient.
