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)