Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is caused by a lack of vitamin B1, called thiamine. Thiamine is present in many foods. Alcohol prevents the intestine from absorbing thiamine from food in the intestine. Without thiamine, cells in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves malfunction. Prolonged lack of thiamine results in damage to the brain cells.

Causes of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome include:

• Alcoholism
• Malnutrition