Wernicke's Encephalopathy vs Korsakoff Syndrome - Thiamine Deficiency



Wernicke's encephalopathy is a neurological condition due to longstanding thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, commonly due to chronic alcohol abuse or malnutrition. It manifests as the triad of confusion, ataxia (broad-based gait), and oculomotor dysfunction.



A known complication of untreated Wernicke's encephalopathy is Korsakoff's syndrome, which manifests as anterograde and retrograde amnesia as well as confabulation (a patient unconsciously makes up stories to fill a gap in their memory).



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