syndromic disease nutritional deficiency disease Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/6843/wernicke-korsakoff-syndrome https://www.malacards.org/card/wernicke_korsakoff_syndrome MONDO:0010198 DOID:10915 Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome OMIM:277730 Wernicke encephalopathy alcohol-induced encephalopathy transketolase defect MEDGEN:83883 Editor note: todo check icd11.foundation:2017611840 SCTID:69482004 Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a brain disorder, due to thiamine deficiency that has been associated with both Wernicke's encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome. The term refers to two different syndromes, each representing a different stage of the disease. Wernicke's encephalopathy represents the 'acute' phase and Korsakoff's syndrome represents the 'chronic' phase. However, they are used interchangeable in many sites. Wernicke's encephalopathy is characterized by confusion, abnormal stance and gait (ataxia), and abnormal eye movements (nystagmus). Korsakoff's syndrome is observed in a small number of patients. It is a type of dementia, characterized by memory loss and confabulation (filling in of memory gaps with data the patient can readily recall) and involvement of the heart, vascular, and nervous system. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome mainly results from chronic alcohol use, but also from dietary deficiencies, prolonged vomiting, eating disorders, systemic diseases (cancer, AIDS, infections), bariatric surgery, transplants, or the effects of chemotherapy. Studies indicate that there may be some genetic predisposition for the disease.Treatment involves supplementing the diet with thiamine. Wernicke encephalopathy is an acute syndrome and requires emergency treatment to prevent death and neurologic complications. In cases where the diagnosis is not confirmed, patients should still be treated while additional evaluations are completed. GARD:0027793 UMLS:C0349464 NCIT:C35764 EFO:1001242 MESH:C538669 MedDRA:10047913