Which condition involves both Wernicke encephalopathy and a chronic memory disorder with confabulation?

• A. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
• B. Wernicke encephalopathy
• C. Korsakoff amnesia
• D. Delirium tremens

Answer: (A)

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is the condition that combines both an acute Wernicke encephalopathy and a chronic memory disorder with confabulation. It stems from thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, usually tied to chronic alcohol use. Wernicke encephalopathy involves acute symptoms such as confusion, eye movement abnormalities, and trouble with balance. If not treated promptly with thiamine, it can progress to Korsakoff syndrome, which leads to severe anterograde amnesia, retrograde memory gaps, and confabulation, with relatively preserved general awareness in some areas but poor new learning. Because this label captures both the immediate encephalopathy and the long-lasting amnestic syndrome with confabulation, it best fits the question. The other terms describe only one part of the spectrum or a different condition entirely (for example, an acute encephalopathy alone, a memory disorder without the acute component, or alcohol withdrawal delirium).