People with Korsakoff's syndrome are usually between 40 and 60 years old. This is much younger than people with dementia, with which the condition shares characteristics. Yet Korsakoff's syndrome is at least as serious. The damage to the brain is permanent and people need intensive care and support for the rest of their lives. The difference with dementia is that Korsakoff's syndrome is not progressive.
In order to improve care for this group, it is crucial to better understand the syndrome and clearly distinguish it from cognitive problems caused by alcohol addiction itself and other brain disorders. That was the aim of a recent study by a group of researchers, including external PhD candidate Kyra Wijnen and her supervisor Roy Kessels, which reviewed existing studies on social cognition in Korsakoff's syndrome.
Most of this research takes place at the Centre of Excellence for Korsakoff in Venray, which is part of Vincent van Gogh Insitute for Psychiatry. Both Kyra and Roy are employed there, which makes this research possible.
Social cognition
Social cognition is about how people interact with others: recognising emotions, empathising and responding appropriately. ‘Social cognition is one of the thinking functions we need to function in daily life, just like memory or concentration,’ explains Kyra Wijnen. ‘It's about recognising emotions in others and knowing how to respond to them, for example.’
In clinical practice, distinguishing between different groups of patients is complicated. At this Centre of Excellence, there are roughly three groups: people with Korsakoff's syndrome, people with other cognitive disorders (e.g. due to alcohol or brain damage), and people whose symptoms disappear after they stop drinking alcohol. For the study, people without cognitive symptoms and without addiction problems are also seen as a “control group”.
Specific problems for Korsakoff patients
‘Korsakoff's syndrome often arises in the context of alcohol addiction, but that does not mean that everything we see is automatically caused by alcohol,’ says Roy Kessels. ‘The question is: which problems are specific to Korsakoff’s syndrome, and which do we also see in other conditions?’
The meta-analysis shows that people with Korsakoff's syndrome have clear problems with social cognition, even more severe than people with alcohol addiction alone. This insight is important because social functioning plays a major role in behaviour, relationships and the need for care.
According to Kessels, this is just the beginning: ‘This meta-analysis is a first step. By better understanding exactly where the problems lie, we can improve diagnostics and work more specifically on treatment and guidance.’
The ultimate goal is clear: better care, better tailored to the complex and often young group of people living with Korsakoff's syndrome.