Case 3: Amnestic Syndrome due to Chronic Alcohol Abuse

A 52-year-old man with a long history of severe alcohol abuse had experienced several episodes of alcoholic hallucinosis.  At the time of admission to the hospital he was thought to have a global dementia. However, Cognistat revealed an isolated memory dysfunction in the presence of otherwise well-preserved intellectual abilities and led to the correct diagnosis of an alcohol-related Korsakoff’s amnestic syndrome.

Orientation: 
A score of 11 out of 12 falls within the average range
Attention: 
A score of 8 out of 8 falls within the average range.
Language: 
These Language scores fall within the average range.
Constructions: 
A score of 5 out of 6 falls within the average range.
Memory: 
A score of 0 out of 12 indicates severe memory impairment. It is important to rule out treatable causes of memory problems and/or more general cognitive decline. This patient needs to be further evaluated both medically and cognitively.
Summary: 
This patient has specific areas of impairment: Memory.