Thalamic amnesia: Korsakoff syndrome due to left thalamic infarction.
In order to support the concept that a lesion of the thalamus is sufficient to cause a Korsakoff syndrome, we are presenting 5 patients, all of whom developed the syndrome after sustaining a left (dominant) thalamic infarction. Two patients had pure thalamic strokes followed by a permanent Korsakoff syndrome. One of these patients was studied with neuropsychometric testing, as well as with a modern MRI scan. In 2 other patients, clinical and imaging data indicate that infarction was not limited to the thalamus. Another patient had bilateral thalamic infarcts but only a temporary Korsakoff syndrome. Neuropathological data are needed to elucidate the exact anatomical substrate of dominant thalamic Korsakoff syndrome.
Cole
M
M
Department of Neurology, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44109.
Winkelman
M D
MD
Morris
J C
JC
Simon
J E
JE
Boyd
T A
TA
D000368:Aged; D000425:Alcohol Amnestic Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D013788:Thalamus / Q000473:pathology*; D014888:Wechsler Scales