Korsakoff's psychosis is a condition that is characterised by a retrograde amnesia – loss of memory for events before the onset of the illness – and an inability to memorise new information. (1)
Estimates of progression to Korsakoff's psychosis range between 50% and 85%. (2)
The condition is most commonly seen in alcoholic patients where there is loss of nerve cells in the thalamic and mamillary bodies secondary to a thiamine deficiency, and occasionally in cases of head injury, cerebral hypoxia, tumour or encephalitis. There is microglial and capillary proliferation.
Of those who develop Korsakoff's psychosis, 25% will require long-term institutional care (3)
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