Wernicke’s Encephalopathy

Nirankar Singh Neki

Author(s)

Nirankar Singh Neki 1Professor, Department of Medicine, Govt. Medical College/ Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, Amritsar, India

Abstract

Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is caused by thiamine (vitamin B) deficiency and most commonly found in individuals with chronic alcoholism and malnutrition. Clinically, its characteristic features are mental status disorders and oculomotor abnormalities as well as stance and gait ataxia. The diagnosis of WE is frequently missed and delay in treatment can lead to death or Korsakoff's amnestic syndrome. Thus, in suspected cases of WE, recommendation is not to await confirmation of diagnosis, but to immediately administer high-dose intravenous thiamine and simultaneously treat magnesium deficiency, especially in alcoholics. It is mainly a clinical diagnosis, and can be supported by laboratory tests and imaging studies.

Publication Details

Page(s) 7-12

DOI DOI not available

Published Journal: Journal of Pioneering Medical Sciences, Volume: 5, Issue: 3, Year: 2015

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Keywords

Korsakoff's amnestic syndrome, Thiamine, Wernicke's encephalopathy

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