Highlights & Basics
- Wernicke encephalopathy is an acute neurologic emergency caused by thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency.
- Underdiagnosed in clinical practice.
- Most commonly associated with poor dietary intake and/or malabsorption of thiamine, particularly in chronic alcohol-use disorder.
- Neurologic manifestations are varied but typically include altered consciousness, oculomotor abnormalities, and gait and balance disorders.
- Treatment is with urgent parenteral administration of thiamine to avoid permanent neurologic injury and death.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
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Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Citations
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