Wernicke Encephalopathy
Synonyms
Beriberi, Cerebral
Cerebral Beriberi
Encephalopathies, Wernicke
Encephalopathy, Gayet Wernicke
Encephalopathy, Gayet-Wernicke
Encephalopathy, Wernicke
Encephalopathy, Wernicke's
Encephalopathy, Wernickes
Gayet Wernicke Encephalopathy
Gayet-Wernicke Encephalopathy
Wernicke Disease
Wernicke Encephalopathies
Wernicke Polioencephalitis, Superior Hemorrhagic
Wernicke Superior Hemorrhagic Polioencephalitis
Wernicke Syndrome
Wernicke's Disease
Wernicke's Encephalopathy
Wernicke's Polioencephalitis, Superior Hemorrhagic
Wernicke's Superior Hemorrhagic Polioencephalitis
Wernicke's Syndrome
An acute neurological disorder characterized by the triad of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and disturbances of mental activity or consciousness. Eye movement abnormalities include nystagmus, external rectus palsies, and reduced conjugate gaze. THIAMINE DEFICIENCY and chronic ALCOHOLISM are associated conditions. Pathologic features include periventricular petechial hemorrhages and neuropil breakdown in the diencephalon and brainstem. Chronic thiamine deficiency may lead to KORSAKOFF SYNDROME. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp1139-42; Davis & Robertson, Textbook of Neuropathology, 2nd ed, pp452-3)