"Grievous bodily harm:" gamma hydroxybutyrate abuse leading to a Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

J Friedman; R Westlake; M Furman

doi:10.1212/wnl.46.2.469

"Grievous bodily harm:" gamma hydroxybutyrate abuse leading to a Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

Neurology. 1996 Feb;46(2):469-71. doi: 10.1212/wnl.46.2.469.

Authors

J Friedman¹, R Westlake, M Furman

Affiliation

¹ Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Roger Williams Medical Center, Providence, RI 02908, USA.

PMID: 8614515
DOI: 10.1212/wnl.46.2.469

Abstract

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a naturally occurring GABA-like drug used illicitly by bodybuilders. Although there are reports of several cases of GHB abuse, with a variety of nervous system complications, we present the first case associated with a Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

MeSH terms

Adult
Alcohol Amnestic Disorder / etiology*
Alcohol Amnestic Disorder / physiopathology
Alcohol Amnestic Disorder / psychology
Female
Humans
Illicit Drugs*
Sodium Oxybate*
Substance-Related Disorders*
Suicide, Attempted

Substances

Illicit Drugs
Sodium Oxybate