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Wernicke encephalopathy has classically been thought of as a disease solely of people who drink excessive amounts of alcohol, but it is also found in the chronically undernourished, and in recent years has been discovered post bariatric surgery. [11] [39] Without being exhaustive, the documented causes of Wernicke encephalopathy have included:
Korsakoff syndrome (KS) [1] is a disorder of the central nervous system characterized by amnesia, deficits in explicit memory, and confabulation.This neurological disorder is caused by a deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B 1) in the brain, and it is typically associated with and exacerbated by the prolonged, excessive ingestion of alcohol. [2]
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) is the combined presence of Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) and alcoholic Korsakoff syndrome (AKS [clarification needed]). Due to the close relationship between these two disorders, people with either are usually diagnosed with WKS as a single syndrome.
Risk factors include a diet of mostly white rice, alcoholism, dialysis, chronic diarrhea, and taking high doses of diuretics. [1] [6] In rare cases, it may be due to a genetic condition that results in difficulties absorbing thiamine found in food. [1] Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome are forms of dry beriberi. [6]
To help to prevent Wernicke syndrome, these individuals should be administered a multivitamin preparation with sufficient quantities of thiamine and folic acid. During alcohol withdrawal, the prophylactic administration of thiamine , folic acid , and pyridoxine intravenously is recommended before starting any carbohydrate-containing fluids or food.
Wernicke syndrome is an ambiguous term. It may refer to: Wernicke aphasia: the eponymous term for receptive or sensory aphasia.; Wernicke encephalopathy: an acute neurological syndrome of ophthalmoparesis, ataxia, and encephalopathy brought on by thiamine deficiency.
A. The criteria for the clinical diagnosis of probable alcohol-related dementia include the following: A clinical diagnosis of dementia at least 60 days after the last exposure to alcohol. Significant alcohol use as defined by a minimum average of 35 standard drinks per week for men (28 for women) for greater than a period of five years.
Rarer mimics of encephalopathy are meningitis, encephalitis, Wernicke's encephalopathy and Wilson's disease; these may be suspected on clinical grounds and confirmed with investigations. [9] [16] The diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy is a clinical one, once other causes for confusion or coma have been excluded; no test fully diagnoses or ...