Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome: A Case Report

Abstract

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) is a disorder of the brain resulting from thiamine deficiency, and it is commonly associated with chronic alcoholism. WKS is a neuropathological term which encompasses two separate conditions-Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) and Korsakoff syndrome (KS). The classic clinical triad of WE is ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and confusion, and KS is characterized by severe impairment of current and recent memory. WE is reversible if treated in a timely manner with thiamine administration but if it is undiagnosed or inadequately treated, it is likely to progress to the chronic state, KS [1]. The best treatment for KS is known as early recognition and management of WE, and the optimal treatment for KS itself is not yet clear [2].Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique which modulates cortical excitability and it is proven to have therapeutic effects in various neuropsychiatric disorders [3]. Annals of Rehabilitation MedicineCase Report A 57-year-old man who was diagnosed with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome showed severe impairment of cognitive function and a craving for alcohol, even after sufficient supplementation with thiamine. After completing 10 sessions of 10 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) at 100% of the resting motor threshold over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, dramatic improvement in cognitive function and a reduction in craving for alcohol were noted. This is the first case report of the efficacy of a high-frequency rTMS in the treatment of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Non-invasive Brain Stimulation for Alcohol Use Disorders: State of the Art and Future Directions

“…As of June 2019, there were 12 sham-controlled studies published on the use of rTMS for alcohol addiction (Table 1). Other studies, including case reports and studies that administered rTMS in alcohol-dependent patients but did not report alcohol-related findings, have also been published but are not included in the table [35][36][37][38][39][40][41]. Of these studies, the majority targeted the DLPFC, and fewer the MPFC (Fig.…”