Wet Brain

What Is Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (Wet Brain)?

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (also referred to as wet brain) is a serious brain condition caused by poor nutrition and a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. With ongoing deficiency, permanent brain changes can occur and become life-threatening.

Though Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome can occur in people without chronic alcohol misuse who have a thiamine deficiency, it is most commonly observed in people with severe alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Though treatable, if the condition goes too long without treatment or is misdiagnosed and incorrectly treated, it can permanently affect memory loss.

How Is Alcohol Misuse Connected To Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome?

Alcohol misuse does not directly cause Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, but the health and behavioral effects of chronic alcohol use often lead to nutrition deficits and vitamin deficiencies. People who have difficulty controlling their alcohol use often begin to neglect their other needs as their disease progresses.

Chronic heavy drinking may curb their appetites to favor less nutritious food choices or satiate their appetite completely. As a result, these patients are often severely malnourished by the time they get help. Aside from poor thiamine intake, chronic drinking also contributes to thiamine deficiency through the following means:

• Liver damage contributes to decreased thiamine storage
• Impaired thiamine absorption in the gut
• Increased thiamine waste through the urine
• Less efficient use of available thiamine

These methods of thiamine reduction and the inability to utilize the thiamine present may result from chronic, heavy alcohol use.

Who Is At Risk For Developing Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (Wet Brain)?

People can be at risk for developing Wernicke-Korsakoff from any cause of thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. Conditions that may put someone at risk for vitamin B1 deficiency include:

• Liver disease
• Gut diseases that increase malabsorption
• Certain kidney diseases
• Metabolic diseases
• Alcohol use disorder
• Eating disorders
• Some chemotherapy
• Prolonged vomiting
• Other disorders that affect nutrition intake, absorption, or use

If you or a loved one are managing a condition in the above categories, it is important to follow up with your doctor or other health professional to ensure your diet is meeting all your nutritional needs.

Wet Brain Symptoms

People who develop Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome may experience various symptoms with varying levels of permanence. The most common wet brain symptoms experienced include:

It is typical for patients to experience a combination of these symptoms even if they do not experience all of them.

Wernicke’s Encephalopathy Symptoms

Wernicke encephalopathy is a condition related to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Thus, it can also be linked to alcohol use disorder through the initial thiamine deficiency caused by poor nutrition.

It occurs when a person with thiamine deficiency continues to intake carbohydrates, either on their own or by giving glucose in a medical setting, without awareness of a thiamine deficiency. The processing of glucose (carbohydrates) requires a lot of thiamine, so any remaining stores are quickly depleted.

Symptoms of Wernicke encephalopathy include:

• Eye movement disorders (such as nystagmus, paralysis of some eye muscles, or abnormal pupil response)
• Balance problems from vestibular disturbance (difficulty walking normally, and possible nerve problems)
• Widespread brain effects (extreme disorientation, indifference, lack of attention, drowsiness or stupor, and autonomic irregulation that can lead to death)

Wernicke encephalopathy is a dangerous condition that can be avoided with proper treatment.

Korsakoff Psychosis Symptoms

If Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is not treated promptly, it can progress to an irreversible condition known as Korsakoff psychosis. Symptoms of Korsakoff’s psychosis include the previous symptoms as well as:

• Irreversible memory loss, and difficulty forming new memories
• Chronically making up stories about events or experiences that are not true
• Hallucinations
• Expressing speech repetitively
• Repetitive actions
• Difficulty making decisions, planning, organizing, or completing tasks
• Loss of motivation
• Expressing or showing apathy

To prevent these permanent brain changes from occurring, a person must receive medical treatment for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

How Is Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome Diagnosed?

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is considered a clinical diagnosis, meaning that a doctor can diagnose it based on an accurate patient history and observation of symptoms present. In some cases, the diagnosis can be confirmed with MRI imaging of the brain, but in most cases, it is not needed.

Prompt treatment of the condition is often warranted before confirming diagnosis. With improvement, successful treatment can also confirm the diagnosis.

Is Wet Brain Preventable?

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is usually preventable, even for people with severe alcohol use disorder, if they maintain appropriate thiamine levels. Thiamine (vitamin B1) can be found in pork, meat, legumes, some vegetables, and vitamin-enriched foods. People can also take vitamins that specifically supply the body with thiamine.

In a healthy person, the body can store up to 4–6 weeks’ worth of thiamine before becoming depleted. People who have problems absorbing nutrients from their gut or storing vitamins such as thiamine due to liver or kidney disease may have a smaller reserve. By maintaining a healthy and balanced diet and being aware of your medical conditions that may limit your ability to store or utilize vitamins, you can avoid developing Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Is Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome Reversible?

Wernicke-Korsaff syndrome is reversible if treated early and properly. However, it is considered a medical emergency.

If you think you or a loved one may be developing Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, call 911 or take them to the nearest emergency room immediately.

How Is Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome Treated?

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is treated by IV administration of high-dose vitamin B1 and glucose. Other treatments may be utilized to address the patient’s other acute symptoms. Usually, this condition must be treated in a medical hospital before a person is able to go to rehab. Some symptoms may resolve quickly, while others may take months.

Reach Out To Receive Treatment

If you or a loved one have developed Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome as a result of chronic alcohol misuse, it may be time to get help.

Wet brain is one of many life-threatening health effects that can result from untreated alcohol use disorder. Reach out to a treatment provider today and explore your treatment options to uncover the path to a healthy and thriving tomorrow.