Question

Korsakoff's syndrome is a disorder marked by confusion and memory loss and is tied to excessive use of which of the following?

a) Cocaine
b) Heroin
c) Marijuana
d) Alcohol

Answer 1

Korsakoff's syndrome, marked by memory loss and confusion, is associated with chronic excessive alcohol use and results from a thiamine deficiency affecting brain function.

Step-by-step explanation:

Korsakoff's syndrome is a neurological disorder primarily characterized by a disruptive memory loss, confusion about time or place, and difficulty with planning and executing tasks. It is directly associated with excessive alcohol use, making alcohol the correct answer to the question. Symptoms of this syndrome can include poor judgment and personality changes, which result from thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency often caused by chronic alcohol consumption. This deficiency affects the brain's ability to function properly. As the DSM-5 notes, substance use disorder, including alcohol dependence, manifests as a compulsive pattern of drug use despite negative consequences and can lead to significant cognitive impairments.