Which Vitamin is associated with Wernicke Korsakoff syndrome and alcoholism?

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a neurological disorder that is primarily linked to a deficiency in Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine. This condition frequently occurs in individuals with chronic alcoholism due to poor nutritional intake and absorption of thiamine. Alcohol interferes with the absorption of this vitamin in the gastrointestinal tract and its conversion to its active form in the liver, leading to a decreased level of thiamine in the body.

In Wernicke's encephalopathy, which is the acute phase of the syndrome, symptoms include confusion, ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia, while Korsakoff's psychosis represents the chronic phase characterized by memory disturbances and confabulation. Given the strong connection between thiamine deficiency and the symptoms of this syndrome, replenishing thiamine is a critical part of treatment for patients displaying these neurological issues. This connection underscores the importance of thiamine in brain health and the significant impact of its deficiency, particularly in the context of alcoholism.