[Mental disorders following delirium tremens]

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Pharmacology

Context:

• Delirium tremens (DT) is a severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
• Post-psychosis period of DT can involve persistent mental disorders.
• Korsakoff disease is a chronic memory disorder associated with alcoholism.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the efficacy of memantine in treating post-psychosis mental disorders in delirium tremens patients.
• To explore the potential link between these disorders and mild forms of Korsakoff disease.

Summary:

• Twenty-four patients (29-62 years) post-delirium tremens psychosis were studied.
• Nineteen patients exhibited cognitive dysfunction, affective disturbances, and alcohol anosognosia.
• Memantine treatment led to the reduction of these disorders within 11-28 days.

Impact:

• Suggests memantine may be beneficial for managing persistent symptoms after delirium tremens.
• Highlights a potential association with mild Korsakoff disease, warranting further investigation.
• Provides evidence for therapeutic interventions in the post-withdrawal phase of alcohol dependence.