Wernicke Encephalopathy Quiz
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Reviewed By:
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
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Learn more about Wernicke encephalopathy
Content updated on Sep 20, 2022
What is wernicke encephalopathy?
Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a life threatening, degenerative condition of the brain characterized by weakness of the eye muscles, ataxia (loss of coordination, balance and speech) and confusion. It's caused by thiamine deficiency which results in nervous system damage.
Symptoms of wernicke encephalopathy
My brain is not functioning right now
Hallucinations
Walking has become so unsteady that I always need to hold onto something for support
Abnormal behavior
Hands and legs became clumsy - I cannot do fine work with them
Concentration is getting worse
Patient unable to recall or speak his/her name and birthday
Difficulty in walking
Questions your doctor may ask to check for wernicke encephalopathy
Your doctor may ask these questions to diagnose wernicke encephalopathy
Do you have problems focusing or a reduced sense of awareness in your surroundings?
Have you ever seen, heard, or smelt something that did not actually exist?
Has your walking become so unsteady that you always need to hold onto something for support?
Have you noticed or been told that you have been acting strangely, differently from usual?
Do you feel that it is harder to move your limbs or that you are more clumsy recently?
Treatment for wernicke encephalopathy
Wernicke encephalopathy is a medical emergency. It's possible to recover wirth prompt and quick correction of the thiamine deficiency in the brain. The condition can be reversed if treated within the first 2 to 3 days of symptoms.
View the symptoms of Wernicke encephalopathy
Diseases related to Wernicke encephalopathy
References
Latt N, Dore G. Thiamine in the treatment of Wernicke encephalopathy in patients with alcohol use disorders. Intern Med J. 2014 Sep;44(9):911-5. doi: 10.1111/imj.12522. PMID: 25201422.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/imj.12522
Sinha S, Kataria A, Kolla BP, Thusius N, Loukianova LL. Wernicke Encephalopathy-Clinical Pearls. Mayo Clin Proc. 2019 Jun;94(6):1065-1072. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2019.02.018. PMID: 31171116.
https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(19)30255-1/fulltext
Fujikawa T, Sogabe Y. Wernicke encephalopathy. CMAJ. 2020 Feb 10;192(6):E143. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.190998. PMID: 32041699; PMCID: PMC7012630.
https://www.cmaj.ca/content/192/6/E143
Ota Y, Capizzano AA, Moritani T, Naganawa S, Kurokawa R, Srinivasan A. Comprehensive review of Wernicke encephalopathy: pathophysiology, clinical symptoms and imaging findings. Jpn J Radiol. 2020 Sep;38(9):809-820. doi: 10.1007/s11604-020-00989-3. Epub 2020 May 10. PMID: 32390125.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11604-020-00989-3
Reviewed By:
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
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Seiji Kanazawa, MD, PHD
Obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN)
National Center for Child Health and Development, Japan