Fact 7. Pervasive Alcohol Abuse: A Potent Risk Factor
Alcohol abuse plays a substantial role in the onset of Korsakoff Syndrome. Chronic heavy drinking can interfere with the absorption and storage of thiamine, thereby laying the groundwork for this condition. The link between alcoholism and KS is so strong that the syndrome is often seen as a severe manifestation of alcohol-induced brain damage.
Alcohol has a multifaceted impact on the body. It’s not just the inhibiting effect on thiamine absorption that causes problems. Chronic alcohol abuse also tends to go hand-in-hand with poor dietary habits and a lack of balanced nutrition. As such, the body isn’t getting enough thiamine from dietary sources in the first place.
Additionally, alcohol has a direct toxic effect on the brain. It disrupts the normal functioning of neurotransmitters, the brain’s chemical messengers. Over time, this can lead to significant neuronal damage, contributing to the cognitive impairments seen in KS. (7)
