Wernicke's encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome are believed to be two stages of the same condition. Wernicke's encephalopathy is caused by damaging changes in the brain, usually due to a lack of vitamin B1 ( thiamine ). A lack of vitamin B1 is common in people with alcoholism . Heavy alcohol use affects the breakdown of thiamine in the body. Even if someone who drinks alcohol heavily follows a well-balanced diet, most of the thiamine is not absorbed. Korsakoff syndrome, or Korsakoff psychosis, tends to develop as Wernicke's symptoms go away. Korsakoff psychosis involves damage to areas of the brain involved with memory.
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