Wernicke's encephalopathy and Korsakoff's psychosis represent a continuum of the 
same pathologic process. The etiology is an absolute deficiency of thiamine 
rather than a direct toxic effect of alcohol. The triad of Wernicke's 
encephalopathy--global confusional state, ophthalmoplegia and nystagmus, and 
ataxia--is occasionally seen in chronic alcoholics and is often attenuated by 
immediate thiamine treatment. The triad of Korsakoff's psychosis--memory loss, 
learning deficits and confabulation--may be seen in either the acute or the 
long-term care setting.