More prevalent in males (1.7: 1) Average onset age is 50 years (range: 30-70 years) First described in 1881 by Dr. Carl Wernicke Rate has been found to be significantly higher in specific populations, i.e., homeless people, older people (especially those living alone or in isolation), and psychiatric inpatients, where alcohol use and poor nutritional states predominate. Prevalence at autopsy exceeds clinical detection. Water soluble vitamin absorbed from the gut. Serves as a cofactor to several enzymes that are responsible for lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, production of amino acids and production of glucose derived neurotransmitters. Also have a role in axonal conduction esp. of acetylcholinergic and serotoninergic neurons. Cellular impairment and injury occur within 2- 3 weeks of decreased intake and thiamine depletion. Acute thiamine deficiency leads to mitochondrial dysfunction resulting in oxidative toxicity in areas of brain. Chronic alcoholism Malnutrition or prolonged starvation Hyperemesis Gravidarum Bariatric surgery Gastric malignancy (inflammatory bowel disease) Intestinal obstruction (abscess) Thyrotoxicosis Iatrogenic (IV glucose without thiamine supplement or chronic hemodialysis) Systemic diseases (AIDS, disseminated TB) Thiamine deficient formula/ breastfeeding by mothers with inadequate thiamine intake Infection( precipitating factor)- pneumonia, meningitis Clinical Triad - ocular abnormalities (29%) - encephalopathy (82%) - ataxia (23%) Occurs in 1/3 of cases. Hallmark of WE Nystagmus, bilateral rectal palsies and conjugate gaze palsies (involvement of oculomotor, abducens and vestibular nuclei) Less common manifestations are pupillary abnormalities, ptosis, sctomata and anisocoria Global confusion state, disinterest, inattentiveness or agitation. Most common presentation is mental state changes. Stupor and coma observed in severe cases Due to polyneuropathy, cerebellar damage and vestibular paresis. Wide based stance Slow and uncertain short stepped gait. Inability to walk without support in severe cases. Peripheral neuropathy (weakness, foot drop & decreased proprioception) GI symptoms (nausea, vomiting, lactic acidosis) Hypotension Hypothermia Memory disturbances Acute symmetrical lesions in thalamus, mamillary bodies, tectal plate, periaqueductal area, floor of 4th ventricle (includes oculomotor and vestibular nuclei and cerebellar vermis)
Lesions are in form of vascular congestion,
microglial proliferation and petechial hemorrhages. Chronic complication of WE Occurs in 2/3 of patients with untreated WE Only 25% of patients fully recover. Lesions are similar to WE expect they are not hemorrhagic. Results in cerebellar atrophy (irreversible change). Characteristics: Anterograde amnesia (inability to form new memories) Retrograde amnesia ( inability to recall past events) Confabulations Detailed patient history Physical and neurological examination Laboratory evaluation CBC (rule out infections, severe anemia) Serum thiamine levels Erythrocyte transketolase levels Serum glucose levels Toxic drug screening Lumbar puncture (rule out CNS infections) Imaging MRI (fluid attenuated inversion recovery {FLAIR} images) CT ( not specific) EEG ( rule out non- convulsive status epilepticus) Hepatic encephalopathy Hypoglycemia Anorexia nervosa Alcohol related psychosis Withdrawal syndromes Delirium tremens Considered a medical emergency Emergency care : Parenteral Thiamine (multiple daily doses – 500mg/dose) Alcohol withdrawal In case of WKS, use of oral Thiamine to prevent further complications. Parenteral magnesium sulfate in case of hypomagnesaemia Balanced diet with high thiamine containing foods. THANK YOU..