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This syndrome is the result of chronic alcoholism.
What is "wet brain."
Wet brain is a form of brain damage. Wet brain is also called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, Korsakoff's psychosis, Wernicke's encephalopathy, and beri beri. The symptoms of wet brain may sometimes improve with therapy but it is often permanent and irreversible.
Wet brain is caused by a deficiency of thiamine which is also known as vitamin B1. Chronic, heavy alcohol consumption can lead to a thiamine deficiency which can then lead to wet brain. Wet brain can also be brought on by periods of vomiting which last for several days such as might result from severe morning sickness or bulimia.
Wet brain is not a case of gradual brain damage occurring over time--wet brain has a sudden onset and is often brought on by an sudden large dose of glucose in an individual suffering from a severe thiamine deficiency. It is generally agreed that wet brain occurs in two stages. The first stage of wet brain is Wernicke's encephalopathy which results from a severe thiamine deficiency and which may be precipitated by a sudden influx of glucose. If Wernicke's encephalopathy is immediately treated with thiamine injections it can be completely reversed and the patient can return to normal. If the Wernicke's encephalopathy goes untreated then it will progress to the second stage of wet brain which is known as Korsakoff's psychosis. Korsakoff's psychosis is not reversible although it can be improved somewhat through treatment.
Staggering, irregular gait, and other muscular incoordination
Confabulation - remembering events that never happened
Inability to form new memories
Loss of memory--this can be severe
Visual and auditory hallucinations
Vision changes - including double vision, eyelid drooping, and abnormal eye movements