A presentation on the basics of Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome for care partners who are seeking to be more effective caregivers.

1. K E Y T H I N G S T O K N O W A B O U T W E R N IC K E -
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Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
By Ben Biddick Dementia Care Specialist
Empowering you to know more,be
more, and achieve highest quality of care.
Serving clients with Wernicke-Korsakoff
Syndrome.

2. Polish neurologist, described a degenerative brain disorder resulting
in:
acute confusion,
poor muscle control that causes clumsy voluntary movements,
and paralysis of eye muscles that control eye movement.
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K E Y T H I N G S T O K N O W A B O U T W E R N IC K E -
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3. Russian neuropsychiatrist, known for his studies on alcoholic psychosis.
Identified condition with features:
memory loss for events before & after the onset of the syndrome
loss of immediate memory (last few minutes)
invented memories which are believed to be true
apathy, indifferent to change
lack of insight into condition
minimal conversation
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K E Y T H I N G S T O K N O W A B O U T W E R N IC K E -
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4. Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome consists of two stages:
1.Wernicke encephalopathy, a sudden and
severe (acute) brain disorder
2.Korsakoff syndrome, a long-term (chronic)
memory disorder.
K E Y T H I N G S T O K N O W A B O U T W E R N IC K E -
K O R S A K O F F S Y N D R O M E

5. Cause: Thiamine Deficiency
leads to brain cell damage via...
Chronic Alcoholism
Malnutrition
Prolonged Starvation
Sustained Vomiting
Bariatric Surgery
Chemotherapy
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Most symptoms of Wernicke's encephalopathy can
be reversed if detected and treated promptly and
completely.
Stopping alcohol use may prevent further nerve and
brain damage. However, improvement in
memory function is slow and, usually, incomplete.
Without treatment, these disorders can be disabling
and life-threatening.

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12.5%of alcoholics develop the disease
50 years old = average age of onset
male to female ratio - 1.7: 1
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"The disorder's main features are
problems in acquiring new
information or establishing new
memories, and in retrieving
previous memories. Although
Wernicke's and Korsakoff's are
related disorders, some scientists
believe them to be different
stages of the same disorder, which
is called Wernicke-Korsakoff
syndrome. Wernicke's
encephalopathy represents the
"acute" phase of the disorder and
Korsakoff's amnesic syndrome
represents the disorder
progressing to a "chronic" or long-
lasting stage."
-NIH
K E Y T H I N G S T O K N O W A B O U T W E R N IC K E -
K O R S A K O F F S Y N D R O M E

9. If confused, the person should not be left alone.
K E Y T H I N G S T O K N O W A B O U T W E R N IC K E -
K O R S A K O F F S Y N D R O M E
To ensure safety, supervise the person to ensure they do not wander, leave stove on,
or engage in any unsafe behavior they're uncapable of recognizing.
Verbal Repetition
Remain calm. Assess the basics. When last ate, used bathroom, rested? Are they warm,
in pain, bored? Empathize with whatever is being experienced.
Does the person feel safe?
Are they oriented to their environment? Do they trust their care partners? Are there
notes or written directions in the room helping them to understand their
environment? Are they overstimulated? Reduce stimulus, comfort, encourage.
If these interventions are unsuccessful
Consulting consumer's medical and mental health behavioral team for guidance
on potential other interventions or medications that may help.

10. Often patients are difficult to care for as
they do not have capacity to understand
their deficits.
They can be difficult to engage because of
apathy and lack of motivation.
A study of care partners described they
experienced the most success in gaining
engagement when they:
1.Made life a "joint effort" with patient
2.Were consistent
3.Showed respect
K E Y T H I N G S T O K N O W A B O U T W E R N IC K E -
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11. How to Fill Your Cup (and Keep It Flowing)
While Serving Those with WKS
K E Y T H I N G S T O K N O W A B O U T W E R N IC K E -
K O R S A K O F F S Y N D R O M E
Orient yourself to the honor of caring for
someone with avery difficult history
and diagnosis
Scour history for opportunities for connection
Celebrate wins (both patient's and yours)
when you have asuccessful interaction
Sharethat information with other care
partners so the progress can be experienced
by others and incorporated into future care
Let emotions pass asthey come in waves,
especially during, just after conflict or a
challenging situation. Redeem it by learning from it.
Use anyapologies asaway to communicate your well-
meaning desire to help, to ease their burden

12. Sources:
HT T PS : / / W W W .NINDS .NIH.GO V/
HT T PS : / / JO URNALS .S AGE PUB .COM / DO I/ F ULL/ 10 .1177/ 0 9 6 9 7330 2 0 9 2 150 7
HT T PS : / / M Y .CLEVE LANDCLINIC.O RG/ HE ALT H/ DIS E AS E S / 2 2 6 8 7- W E RNICKE - KO RS AKO F F -
S Y NDRO M E
HT T PS : / / W W W .ALZ.O RG/ ALZHE IM E RS - DE M E NT IA/ W HAT - IS - DE M E NT IA/ T Y PE S - O F -
DE M E NT IA/ KO RS AKO F F - S Y NDRO M E

13. Questions?
RE ACH O UT T O DE M E NT IA CARE S PE CIALIS T S
B B E AM @ GCHS D.O RG
B B IDDICK@ GCHS D.O RG
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