An international perspective on the prevalence of the Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

Silent Echoes: A Case Report of Wernicke Encephalopathy's Unheard Voice

Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is an acute neuropsychiatric emergency that is caused by a deficiency in vitamin B1 (thiamine). This condition is most commonly seen in patients with alcohol use disorder; however, patients with other disorders of severe malnourishment are also at increased risk. In severe cases, this disease may be followed by Korsakoff's psychosis and even death.  We present a case of a 64-year-old African American female with a history of alcohol use disorder who presented to the emergency department on account of an acute confusional state. Neurological examination revealed right beating nystagmus on the left gaze and a wide-based gait. Initial laboratory work-up was unrevealing; however, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain demonstrated an abnormal T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) signal involving the bilateral mammillary bodies and surrounding lateral ventricles that extended into the periaqueductal parenchyma. The patient was admitted to the neurology unit, and high-dose intravenous thiamine was commenced. During hospitalization, the patient's confusion improved and they were subsequently discharged with oral thiamine. The spectrum of severity of WE is wide, ranging from fatal disease and can lead to permanent brain damage or even Korsakoff syndrome, characterized by severe memory loss and confabulation. The diagnosis is mainly clinical and based on the presence of symptoms in the classic triad of mental status change, oculomotor abnormality, and ataxia. This triad is only present in about 10% of cases, making the diagnosis very challenging. Laboratory testing can assist in making the diagnosis, but it is not always reliable or available. In situations of clinical uncertainty, imaging may also be used to support diagnosis or rule out other differentials. The mainstay of treatment is with high-dose parenteral thiamine.

Current Medical Treatment for Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease

Alcohol-associated liver disease is one of the main causes of chronic liver disease. It comprises a clinical-histologic spectrum of presentations, from steatosis, steatohepatitis, to different degrees of fibrosis, including cirrhosis and severe necroinflammatory disease, called alcohol-associated hepatitis. In this focused update, we aim to present specific therapeutic interventions and strategies for the management of alcohol-associated liver disease. Current evidence for management in all spectra of manifestations is derived from general chronic liver disease recommendations, but with a higher emphasis on abstinence and nutritional support. Abstinence should comprise the treatment of alcohol use disorder as well as withdrawal syndrome. Nutritional assessment should also consider the presence of sarcopenia and its clinical manifestation, frailty. The degree of compensation of the disease should be evaluated, and complications, actively sought. The most severe acute form of this disease is alcohol-associated hepatitis, which has high mortality and morbidity. Current treatment is based on corticosteroids that act by reducing immune activation and blocking cytotoxicity and inflammation pathways. Other aspects of treatment include preventing and treating hepatorenal syndrome as well as preventing infections although there is no clear evidence as to the benefit of probiotics and antibiotics in prophylaxis. Novel therapies for alcohol-associated hepatitis include metadoxine, interleukin-22 analogs, and interleukin-1-beta antagonists. Finally, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, microbiota transplantation, and gut-liver axis modulation have shown promising results. We also discuss palliative care in advanced alcohol-associated liver disease.

Gayet-Wernicke's encephalopathy complicating prolonged parenteral nutrition in patient treated for colonic cancer - a case report

Background

Gayet-Wernicke’s encephalopathy (GWE) is a neurological pathology caused by a Thiamine deficiency. While it is most often related to chronic alcoholism, GWE can occur in any situation that results in thiamine deficiency. It is a fairly common pathology that is frequently underdiagnosed and therefore under-treated, and is associated with a high mortality and morbidity rate. In the absence of pathognomonic signs, the diagnosis of GWE relies on a range of clinical, biological and radiological assessments. GWE is considered a medical emergency.

We present a case of Gayet-Wernicke’s Encephalopathy resulting from complete parenteral nutrition in an undernourished North African male operated for a left colon tumor. Through this report, our aim was to put the light on this often underknown disease and to remind the interest of thinking about this pathology in patients at risk of undernourishment especially in oncology.

Case presentation

A 66-year-old North African male with no personal or family history was operated for a sigmoid colon tumor. He was put on exclusive parenteral nutrition on day thirteen post-operatively and presented with a GWE on day sixteen post-operatively. The patient was treated with intravenous vitamin B1 on day eighteen post-operatively and deceased on day twenty-four post-operatively.

Conclusions

Although most often associated with chronic alcoholism, GWE occurs in any situation where there is an increased energy demand or decreased nutritional intake especially in oncology.

GWE is common but under-diagnosed and remains lethal if not treated urgently, hence the importance of prophylactic treatment.

Clinical diagnosis, outcomes and treatment of thiamine deficiency in a tertiary hospital

BACKGROUND

Acute thiamine deficiency can occur in patients with or without history of alcohol abuse and can lead to life-threatening complications. Clinical diagnosis is challenging, often resulting in delayed recognition and treatment. Patients may present with heterogenous symptoms, more diverse than the historical neurological description. Cerebral MRI can contribute to the diagnosis in patients with neurological signs but it is not always feasible in emergency settings. Prompt parenteral supplementation is required to obtain the improvement of symptoms and avoid chronic complications.

AIMS

To describe the clinical presentation of reported cases of thiamine deficiency, assess prescription and results of cerebral imaging, review treatments that had been prescribed in accordance or not with available guidelines, and study the short-term outcome of these patients.

METHODS

This is a monocentric retrospective analysis of all reported cases of thiamine deficiency in a French tertiary hospital between January 1st 2008 and December 31st 2018.

RESULTS

Fifty-six cases were identified during the study period. Forty-five (80%) patients had a history of alcohol abuse. Most patients were diagnosed based on neurological symptoms but non-specific and digestive symptoms were frequent. Thirty-four percent of patients fulfilled clinical criteria for malnutrition. A brain MRI was performed in 54% of patients and was abnormal in 63% of these cases. Eighty-five percent of patients were treated by parenteral thiamine administration and the supplementation was continued orally in 55% of them. The majority of patients initially received 1000 mg daily of IV thiamine but the dose and duration of thiamine supplementation were variable. At the time of discharge, partial or complete improvement of symptoms was noted in 59% of patients.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the clinical and radiological heterogeneity of thiamine deficiency. These observations should encourage starting thiamine supplementation early in patients with risk factors or suggestive symptoms even in non-alcoholic patients, and underline the importance of early nutritional support.

Identifying, Assessing, and Treating Korsakoff Syndrome Patients: Updated Perspectives

ABSTRACT

Objectives consist of updating published reports on the recognition, assessment, and care of patients with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS). Methods included defining relevant terms, describing core clinical phenomena, conducting meaningful reviews for latter-day WKS publications, and selecting instructive case examples. Findings covered epidemiology, precipitants, neuroimaging studies, alternate learning strategies in WKS, adjunctive treatments, and promising research. In conclusion, patients, their family members, clinicians, and public health experts should benefit from this updated knowledge. Countries with substantial alcohol consumption should consider emulating Holland in designating WKS research centers, founding regional clinical facilities, and funding multidisciplinary expert teams.

Preliminary Evidence for a Relationship between Elevated Plasma TNFα and Smaller Subcortical White Matter Volume in HCV Infection Irrespective of HIV or AUD Comorbidity

Classical inflammation in response to bacterial, parasitic, or viral infections such as HIV includes local recruitment of neutrophils and macrophages and the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Proposed biomarkers of organ integrity in Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD) include elevations in peripheral plasma levels of proinflammatory proteins. In testing this proposal, previous work included a group of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals as positive controls and identified elevations in the soluble proteins TNFα and IP10; these cytokines were only elevated in AUD individuals seropositive for hepatitis C infection (HCV). The current observational, cross-sectional study evaluated whether higher levels of these proinflammatory cytokines would be associated with compromised brain integrity. Soluble protein levels were quantified in 86 healthy controls, 132 individuals with AUD, 54 individuals seropositive for HIV, and 49 individuals with AUD and HIV. Among the patient groups, HCV was present in 24 of the individuals with AUD, 13 individuals with HIV, and 20 of the individuals in the comorbid AUD and HIV group. Soluble protein levels were correlated to regional brain volumes as quantified with structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In addition to higher levels of TNFα and IP10 in the 2 HIV groups and the HCV-seropositive AUD group, this study identified lower levels of IL1β in the 3 patient groups relative to the control group. Only TNFα, however, showed a relationship with brain integrity: in HCV or HIV infection, higher peripheral levels of TNFα correlated with smaller subcortical white matter volume. These preliminary results highlight the privileged status of TNFα on brain integrity in the context of infection.

Non-alcoholic Wernicke's encephalopathy: toxic ingestion or an honest mis-steak?

A 21-year-old male presented with a 2-week history of nausea and non-bloody, non-bilious vomiting, accompanied by diffuse chronic myalgia. The patient endorsed headaches, dizziness, and diplopia that had started one day prior to admission. The patient had consumed a meat-only diet for the prior year. The patient was found to have a high anion gap metabolic acidosis with a superimposed normal anion gap metabolic acidosis in the setting of a several-month history of ingesting multiple naturopathic substances as well as recent use of disulfiram for management of his chronic myalgia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain demonstrated symmetric hyperintensity involving bilateral thalami, periventricular regions, putamina, pons and medulla, with sparing of the mammillary bodies, consistent with Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE). The patient was treated with intravenous thiamine, a balanced nutritional diet, and hydration. Over the ensuing four days, his metabolic derangements resolved and a repeat MRI demonstrated significantly decreased FLAIR signal abnormality.

Total parenteral nutrition-induced Wernicke's encephalopathy after oncologic gastrointestinal surgery

Carl Wernicke described the disease bearing his name in 1881 and reported three cases characterized by the presence of mental confusion, ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia. Wernicke’s disease is mainly observed in alcoholic patients, due to decreased vitamin intake as a consequence of an unbalanced diet, and a reduction of absorption due to the effects of alcohol. Likewise, inadequate vitamin intake is prevalent in older patients. Wernicke’s encephalopathy due to inappropriate total parenteral nutrition (TPN) occurs infrequently; recently, there is an increase in the literature concerning Wernicke’s encephalopathy in patients after general and bariatric surgeries. We present two cases of Wernicke’s encephalopathy after oncologic gastrointestinal surgery by failure to administer vitamin B1 during TPN; to our knowledge, these are the first two cases of Wernicke’s encephalopathy after colorectal surgery for cancer. In our opinion, timely diagnosis and treatment are mandatory to avoid nonfunctional recovery and consequent malpractice legal actions as well as an increase in the health-care costs correlated with the prolonged hospital stay and with the nonfunctional recovery.

Don't seek, don't find: The diagnostic challenge of Wernicke's encephalopathy

Wernicke’s encephalopathy is caused by thiamine deficiency and has a range of presenting features, including gait disturbance, altered cognitive state, nystagmus and other eye movement disorders. In the past, Wernicke’s encephalopathy was described almost exclusively in the alcohol-dependent population. However, in current times, Wernicke’s encephalopathy is also well recognized in many other patient groups, including patients following bariatric surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, cancer and pancreatitis. Early recognition of Wernicke’s encephalopathy is vital, as prompt treatment can restore cognitive or ocular function and can prevent permanent disability. Unfortunately, Wernicke’s encephalopathy is often undiagnosed – presumably because it is relatively uncommon and has a variable clinical presentation. Clinical biochemists have a unique role in advising clinicians about potential nutritional or metabolic causes of unexplained neurological symptoms and to prompt consideration of thiamine deficiency as a potential cause in high-risk patient groups. The aim of this review is to summarize the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of Wernicke’s encephalopathy and to highlight some non-traditional causes, such as after bariatric surgery.

Incidence of Adverse Reactions to Parenteral Thiamine in the Treatment of Wernicke's Encephalopathy, and Recommendations

AIM

To offer an estimate of the incidence of anaphylactic reactions to parenteral products containing thiamine used in the treatment of Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) and make recommendations.

METHOD

Review of previously released data on some older products and parenteral thiamine use in some other countries; analysis of sales and adverse incident data on anaphylaxis for a contemporary parenteral product used in the UK, Pabrinex.

RESULTS

It was difficult to estimate the incidence of related anaphylactic reactions to Pabrinex in the UK because the number of doses given is unknown. Sales data are only an approximation to doses given because for products with a limited shelf life not all product sold is administered. However, available data indicate that there have been 10 anaphylactic reactions to Pabrinex from between 5,431,235-6,651,947 patient-days (14,880-16,080 years) of treatment.

CONCLUSION

It is reasonable to assume that the risk of anaphylaxis is low, and lower than for many other drugs. The risk-benefit ratio for administration is favourable given the potential severity of brain damage in Wernicke-Korsakoff (WK) syndrome. There is a need for international agreement on the reporting of anaphylaxis and on the optimum thiamine therapy for the treatment of WK syndrome. We make recommendations on how this might be achieved.

Sensitivity of ventrolateral posterior thalamic nucleus to back pain in alcoholism and CD4 nadir in HIV

Volumes of thalamic nuclei are differentially affected by disease-related processes including alcoholism and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. This MRI study included 41 individuals diagnosed with alcohol use disorders (AUD, 12 women), 17 individuals infected with HIV (eight women), and 49 healthy controls (24 women) aged 39 to 75 years. A specialized, high-resolution acquisition protocol enabled parcellation of five thalamic nuclei: anterior [anterior ventral (AV)], posterior [pulvinar (Pul)], medial [mediodorsal (MD)], and ventral [including ventral lateral posterior (VLp) and ventral posterior lateral (VPl)]. An omnibus mixed-model approach solving for volume considered the "fixed effects" of nuclei, diagnosis, and their interaction while covarying for hemisphere, sex, age, and supratentorial volume (svol). The volume by diagnosis interaction term was significant; the effects of hemisphere and sex were negligible. Follow-up mixed-model tests thus evaluated the combined (left + right) volume of each nucleus separately for effects of diagnosis while controlling for age and svol. Only the VLp showed diagnoses effects and was smaller in the AUD (p = .04) and HIV (p = .0003) groups relative to the control group. In the AUD group, chronic back pain (p = .008) and impaired deep tendon ankle reflex (p = .0005) were associated with smaller VLp volume. In the HIV group, lower CD4 nadir (p = .008) was associated with smaller VLp volume. These results suggest that the VLp is differentially sensitive to disease processes associated with AUD and HIV.

Mimickers of neuropsychiatric manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), presenting with new onset or worsening neuropsychiatric (NP) symptoms, is a challenge in clinical practice. Mimickers such as infections, drug-induced side effects, metabolic abnormalities, malignancies, and alcohol-related disorders have to be excluded, before attributing the manifestations to disease activity. Proper diagnosis is essential to guide adequate management and reduce morbidity and mortality. In this review article, we will highlight clinical, laboratorial, and neuroradiological features that are helpful to assist in the differential diagnosis.

Memantine ameliorates learning and memory disturbance and the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in thiamine-deficient mice

Several studies have reported on the beneficial effects of memantine on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in patients with Alzheimer's disease. However, the effects of memantine on BPSD-like behaviors in animals have not been well addressed. Here, the effects of memantine on memory disturbance and BPSD-like behaviors were evaluated in thiamine-deficient (TD) mice. Memantine (3 and 10 mg/kg, b.i.d.) was orally administered to ddY mice fed a TD diet for 22 days. During the treatment period, the forced swimming test, elevated plus-maze test, passive avoidance test, and locomotor activity test were performed. Neurotransmitter levels in the brain were analyzed after the treatment period. Daily oral administration of memantine ameliorated the memory disturbances, anxiety-like behavior, and depression-like behavior observed in TD mice. Memantine did not have a significant effect on monoamine levels, but increased glutamate levels in the hippocampus in TD mice. These results suggest that memantine prevents or suppresses the progression of BPSD-like behaviors that develop due to TD. This effect may be mediated in part by the enhancement of glutamatergic neuron activity in the hippocampus.

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome: Focus on low-threshold diagnosis and prompt treatment in the primary care setting

The authors present the case of an inpatient hospitalized at the Veterans Affairs psychiatric unit diagnosed with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome to promote awareness of this prevalent yet often underdiagnosed and undertreated condition. Although Veterans present with a unique predisposition for alcohol abuse, it remains problematic in the general population as well. Analysis from 2000 to 2003 reveals alcohol use in the past month in Veterans at 56.6% and 50.8% in comparable non-Veterans. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, it is estimated that of those who are 18 and older, 86.4% have used alcohol, 26.9% have engaged in binge drinking in the past month, 7% engaged in heavy alcohol use in the past month, and 6.2% (15.1 million) carried the diagnosis of alcohol use disorder.^, The lifetime prevalence of alcohol abuse in the general population is estimated to be between 4.5% and 13.2%. Primary care providers should maintain a high degree of vigilance in evaluating patients for timely diagnosis and prompt treatment of those suspected to have thiamine deficiency. Indeed, Wernicke's encephalopathy carries a significant level of morbidity and mortality associated with the syndrome, even in cases when it does not present with all of the classic signs. This article aims to raise the primary and ambulatory care provider's ability to recognize the condition, emphasize a low threshold to treat, and highlight current treatment recommendations.

Chronic Neurologic Effects of Alcohol

Chronic alcohol use induces silent changes in the structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous systems that eventually result in irreversible, debilitating repercussions. Once identified, nutritional supplementation and cessation measures are critical in preventing further neurologic damage. The proposed mechanisms of neuronal injury in chronic alcohol abuse include direct toxic effects of alcohol and indirect effects, including those resulting from hepatic dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies, and neuroinflammation. Clinical manifestations include cerebellar ataxia, peripheral neuropathy and Wernicke-Korsakoff encephalopathy. Continued exploration of the pathophysiologic mechanisms may lead to the discovery of early interventions that can prevent permanent neurologic injury.

Clinical characteristics and magnetic resonance imaging findings in nine patients with nonalcoholic Wernicke's encephalopathy: a retrospective study

PURPOSE

Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is a severe neurological disorder caused by thiamine deficiency. The most common cause of WE is alcoholism. However, there is a significant paucity of information in the existing literature relating to nonalcoholic WE. In this study, we investigated the clinical characteristics and neuroimaging findings of nine patients with nonalcoholic WE.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively collated clinical data from nine patients who had been diagnosed with WE in accordance with established criteria including age, gender, risk factors and clinical manifestations. We also collated initial hematological and neuroimaging findings.

RESULTS

The mean age of the nine patients was 54.0±17.1 years; four of these patients (44.4%) were male. All nine patients had a history of fasting (range, 5-47 days) prior to WE. Four of the nine patients (44.4%) exhibited the classical triad, and eight (88.9%) showed alterations in mental status. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans showed that all nine patients had symmetric lesions of the medial thalamus. MRI also revealed other WE-related lesions in mammillary bodies (22.2%), the periaqueductal region (55.6%), the tectal plate of the midbrain (77.8%), cranial nerve nuclei (77.8%) and in the symmetric subcortical white matter (11.1%).

CONCLUSION

Our analysis showed that fasting is a common cause of WE in nonalcoholic patients and that MRI is a useful tool for the diagnosis of WE. The most common MRI findings were symmetrical lesions of the medial thalamus lesions, followed by the tectal plate of the midbrain and cranial nerve nuclei.

Wernicke's Encephalopathy

Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE) is a neurologic emergency that requires immediate attention to prevent permanent neurological morbidity and mortality. It presents with confusion, ophthalmoplegia and gait ataxia which together comprise its classic triad. Thiamine deficiency related to alcohol abuse remains the primary culprit; non-alcoholic WE, however, can have an atypical clinical presentation and is often missed. Thus, although the diagnosis of WE remains primarily clinical, neuroimaging plays an important role, especially in the diagnosis of non-alcoholic WE. Here, we present a case of non-alcoholic WE with an atypical clinical presentation but typical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in a woman with a history of non-bariatric gastrointestinal surgery. Thiamine replacement therapy rapidly reversed her neurologic symptoms and MRI findings.

Suspected dietary-related Wernicke's encephalopathy

A 64-year-old female presented with fluctuating level of consciousness of unclear cause. She had radiological features of right middle lobe consolidation and raised inflammatory markers, but normal computed tomography scan of head and normal cerebrospinal fluid results. She was intubated and ventilated with nasogastric feeding for four days and had fully recovered after six days. Upon recovery, the patient disclosed that she had maintained an ice cream-only diet for three years prior to this presentation. She was therefore diagnosed with Wernicke's encephalopathy secondary to dietary insufficiency of thiamine, which was acutely precipitated by pneumonia and recovered following establishment of appropriate nutrition.

Wernicke's Encephalopathy as a Rare Complication of Hyperemesis Gravidarum: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is a rare neurological syndrome that presents in the setting of thiamine deficiency. Though alcoholism is the most common cause of this condition, a few other etiologies include malnutrition from other causes, hemodialysis, and hyperemesis gravidarum. In this case report, we aim to report a case of a young woman who developed WE in the setting of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) that improved with thiamine replacement. This manuscript details her presentation and clinical examination and includes a spontaneous upbeat nystagmus and goes over the condition along with a review of the literature.

Pharmacy-based intervention in Wernicke's encephalopathy

Aims and method

Clinical audit methodology was used to compare the treatment of alcohol misusers at risk of Wernicke's encephalopathy in an acute medical setting, and to assess the impact of providing information about best practice to prescribing doctors. All patients prescribed thiamine during an admission to an acute hospital trust over a 6-month period were identified, and data about their treatment episode were collected retrospectively. Hospital pharmacists then provided all prescribers with a flowchart summarising current prescribing guidelines, and prescribing patterns were re-audited 6 months later.

Results

Over two audit periods, half of the patients prescribed thiamine whose case notes we examined had symptoms suggestive of Wernicke's encephalopathy, and another 30% were at high risk. Prescribing adhered to hospital guidelines only in 14% of cases, with the pharmacy-led intervention associated with a small but significant increase in the number of patients receiving adequate treatment for Wernicke's encephalopathy.

Clinical implications

Wernicke's encephalopathy is relatively common in alcohol-dependent individuals admitted to hospital, and it is easily and cheaply managed. However, even when potential cases are identified, prescribing guidelines are followed in a minority of cases, even with prompting by a hospital pharmacist. This may be related to the limited research base concerning the optimum dosing schedule of thiamine, or fears about possible anaphylaxis when using parenteral preparations.

A case report: Non-alcoholic Wernicke encephalopathy associated with polyneuropathy

We report a rare case of non-alcoholic Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) with polyneuropathy. A 24-year-old woman who had recently served a 4-month prison sentence and underwent a short period of dieting manifested slow response, weakness, language disorder and amnesia. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed typical lesions of WE. Examination of nerve conduction velocity revealed sensory-motor axonal polyneuropathy. The patient was immediately treated with thiamine. Neurological symptoms were alleviated in a few days and abnormal signals were markedly decreased in a follow-up MRI 1 week later. Polyneuropathy symptoms ameliorated during hospital therapy and significantly improved after 4 months. This case suggests that WE may be associated with polyneuropathy in non-alcoholic patients. Early thiamine treatment in symptomatic patients may improve prognosis.

Long-Term Mortality of Patients with an Alcohol-Related Wernicke–Korsakoff Syndrome

Aims

To characterize a series of contemporary patients with alcohol-related Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) or Korsakoff's syndrome (KS) and to update the current prognosis of disease.

Methods

Retrospective and prospective study of patients diagnosed with an alcohol-related WE or KS between 2002 and 2011 in a tertiary hospital. Socio-demographic, alcohol use characteristics, signs and symptoms, co-morbidity and blood parameters were obtained at admission. Patients were followed up until 2013 and causes of death were ascertained through the review of charts.

Results

Sixty-one patients were included (51 with WE and 10 with KS). Among patients with WE, 78% were men and age at diagnosis was 57 years (interquartile range (IQR): 49–66). Twenty-three percent fulfilled the classic WE triad. Regarding Caine's criteria for WE, 70.6% presented with at least two out of four signs or symptoms. Median follow-up of patients with WE syndrome was 5.3 years (IQR: 2.6–8.8), the cumulated mortality was 45% and death rate of 7.4 × 100 person-years (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.8–10.9). Overall, 50% of patients would be expected to die within 8 years of WE episode and main causes of death included serious bacterial infections (44.5%) and cancer (33.3%).

Conclusions

Survival of patients with an alcohol-related Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome is poor; pursuing treatment of alcohol use disorder and early diagnosis of thiamine deficiency is a priority for improving clinical outcomes.

Alcohol-related cognitive impairment: current trends and future perspectives

Excessive alcohol use is associated with a wide range of physical, psychological and social consequences, and is responsible for a significant proportion of the burden of disease globally. An area which has received increasing interest is alcohol-related brain damage, not just because of the cost to the individual and society through resource utilization, but also because of the potential for prevention and reversibility. This paper aims to review the current literature on this subject and seeks to explore issues around diagnosis and treatment of alcohol-related brain damage.

Wernicke’s encephalopathy mimicking neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a report of three cases and literature review

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory disease that involves many organs and systems. Nervous system involvement in SLE encompasses neurological and psychiatric disorders, and remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE) is a neurological disorder that occurs as a consequence of thiamine deficiency, and its clinical presentation resembles the neuropsychiatric events attributed to SLE (NPSLE). Differentiation between these two entities is crucial because their treatment differs greatly and can change prognosis. We describe three cases of patients with SLE who presented with initial clinical findings suggestive of NPSLE that, at the end of a thorough clinical investigation, were actually found to represent WE. In all of these cases, treatment with thiamine resulted in significant improvement. WE should be considered as a differential diagnosis in SLE patients with neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms, especially when risk factors for thiamine deficiency are present.

The Long-Term Cost to the UK NHS and Social Services of Different Durations of IV Thiamine (Vitamin B1) for Chronic Alcohol Misusers with Symptoms of Wernicke's Encephalopathy Presenting at the Emergency Department

BACKGROUND

Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is an acute neuropsychiatric condition caused by depleted intracellular thiamine, most commonly arising in chronic alcohol misusers, who may present to emergency departments (EDs) for a variety of reasons. Guidelines recommend a minimum 5-day course of intravenous (IV) thiamine in at-risk patients unless WE can be excluded.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the cost impact on the UK public sector (NHS and social services) of a 5-day course of IV thiamine, vs a 2- and 10-day course, in harmful or dependent drinkers presenting to EDs.

METHODS

A Markov chain model compared expected prognosis of patients under alternative admission strategies over 35 years. Model inputs were derived from a prospective cohort study, expert opinion via structured elicitation and NHS costing databases. Costs (2012/2013 price year) were discounted at 3.5 %.

RESULTS

Increasing treatment from 2 to 5 days increased acute care costs but reduced the probability of disease progression and thus reduced the expected net costs by GBP87,000 per patient (95 % confidence interval GBP19,300 to GBP172,300) over 35 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Increasing length of stay to optimize IV thiamine replacement will place additional strain on acute care but has potential UK public sector cost savings. Social services and the NHS should explore collaborations to realise both the health benefits to patients and savings to the public purse.

A framework for inter-level explanations: outlines for a new explanatory pluralism

According to explanatory pluralism, the appropriate explanatory level is determined by pragmatic factors, and there are no general exclusion or preference rules concerning higher- or lower-level explanations. While I agree with the latter claim, I will argue that the former is in need of revision. In particular, I will argue that by distinguishing cases of two explanations being descriptions of one underlying causal process, and two explanations being descriptions of two distinct causal processes, it becomes clear that the grain size of an explanation is in fact determined by the interplay of various pragmatic and non-pragmatic factors. Within these constraints, positive guidelines can be developed to direct us to the appropriate explanatory level. This gives us the outlines for a general framework for classifying various types of relations between explanations on different levels. After making a comparison between this new framework and standard explanatory pluralism, I end by suggesting some ways in which the framework could be further developed.

MR imaging findings in alcoholic and nonalcoholic acute Wernicke's encephalopathy: a review

Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is a severe neurological syndrome caused by thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency and clinically characterized by the sudden onset of mental status changes, ocular abnormalities, and ataxia. Apart from chronic alcoholism, the most common cause of WE, a lot of other conditions causing malnutrition and decreasing thiamine absorption such as gastrointestinal surgical procedures and hyperemesis gravidarum must be considered as predisposing factors. Due to its low prevalence and clinical heterogeneity, WE is often misdiagnosed, leading to persistent dysfunctions and, in some cases, to death. Nowadays, MR imaging of the brain, showing T2 and FLAIR hyperintensities in typical (thalami, mammillary bodies, tectal plate, and periaqueductal area) and atypical areas (cerebellum, cranial nerve nuclei, and cerebral cortex), is surely the most important and effective tool in the diagnostic assessment of WE. The aim of this paper is to propose a state of the art of the role of MR imaging in the early diagnosis of this complex disease.

Human alcohol-related neuropathology

Alcohol-related diseases of the nervous system are caused by excessive exposures to alcohol, with or without co-existing nutritional or vitamin deficiencies. Toxic and metabolic effects of alcohol (ethanol) vary with brain region, age/developmental stage, dose, and duration of exposures. In the mature brain, heavy chronic or binge alcohol exposures can cause severe debilitating diseases of the central and peripheral nervous systems, and skeletal muscle. Most commonly, long-standing heavy alcohol abuse leads to disproportionate loss of cerebral white matter and impairments in executive function. The cerebellum (especially the vermis), cortical-limbic circuits, skeletal muscle, and peripheral nerves are also important targets of chronic alcohol-related metabolic injury and degeneration. Although all cell types within the nervous system are vulnerable to the toxic, metabolic, and degenerative effects of alcohol, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and synaptic terminals are major targets, accounting for the white matter atrophy, neural inflammation and toxicity, and impairments in synaptogenesis. Besides chronic degenerative neuropathology, alcoholics are predisposed to develop severe potentially life-threatening acute or subacute symmetrical hemorrhagic injury in the diencephalon and brainstem due to thiamine deficiency, which exerts toxic/metabolic effects on glia, myelin, and the microvasculature. Alcohol also has devastating neurotoxic and teratogenic effects on the developing brain in association with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder/fetal alcohol syndrome. Alcohol impairs function of neurons and glia, disrupting a broad array of functions including neuronal survival, cell migration, and glial cell (astrocytes and oligodendrocytes) differentiation. Further progress is needed to better understand the pathophysiology of this exposure-related constellation of nervous system diseases and better correlate the underlying pathology with in vivo imaging and biochemical lesions.

Human alcohol-related neuropathology

Alcohol-related diseases of the nervous system are caused by excessive exposures to alcohol, with or without co-existing nutritional or vitamin deficiencies. Toxic and metabolic effects of alcohol (ethanol) vary with brain region, age/developmental stage, dose, and duration of exposures. In the mature brain, heavy chronic or binge alcohol exposures can cause severe debilitating diseases of the central and peripheral nervous systems, and skeletal muscle. Most commonly, long-standing heavy alcohol abuse leads to disproportionate loss of cerebral white matter and impairments in executive function. The cerebellum (especially the vermis), cortical-limbic circuits, skeletal muscle, and peripheral nerves are also important targets of chronic alcohol-related metabolic injury and degeneration. Although all cell types within the nervous system are vulnerable to the toxic, metabolic, and degenerative effects of alcohol, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and synaptic terminals are major targets, accounting for the white matter atrophy, neural inflammation and toxicity, and impairments in synaptogenesis. Besides chronic degenerative neuropathology, alcoholics are predisposed to develop severe potentially life-threatening acute or subacute symmetrical hemorrhagic injury in the diencephalon and brainstem due to thiamine deficiency, which exerts toxic/metabolic effects on glia, myelin, and the microvasculature. Alcohol also has devastating neurotoxic and teratogenic effects on the developing brain in association with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder/fetal alcohol syndrome. Alcohol impairs function of neurons and glia, disrupting a broad array of functions including neuronal survival, cell migration, and glial cell (astrocytes and oligodendrocytes) differentiation. Further progress is needed to better understand the pathophysiology of this exposure-related constellation of nervous system diseases and better correlate the underlying pathology with in vivo imaging and biochemical lesions.

Wernicke's encephalopathy three weeks after sleeve gastrectomy

Following bariatric surgeries for management of morbid obesity, less nutrients are absorbed, giving rise to complications due to vitamin deficiencies with frequently dramatic consequences. Neurologic complications resulting from folate, vitamin B12, and thiamine deficiencies have been estimated to occur in up to 16% of cases and present within weeks to months following bariatric surgery. Among bariatric surgeries, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass has been the most associated with such deficiencies due to both restrictive and malabsorptive components. Complications are less seen with restrictive surgeries. We report a case of rapid Wernicke's encephalopathy due to a thiamine deficiency in a young female patient following Sleeve gastrectomy (SG).

Thiamine for prevention and treatment of Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome in people who abuse alcohol

BACKGROUND

Autopsy studies suggest that Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) is not a rare disorder, particularly in individuals who abuse alcohol. Thiamine has been established as the treatment of choice for over 50 years, but uncertainty remains about appropriate dosage and duration. Current practice guidelines are based on case reports and clinical experience. This is an update of a review first published in 2004 and last updated in 2008.

OBJECTIVES

• To assess the efficacy of thiamine in preventing and treating the manifestations of WKS due to excess alcohol consumption. • To determine the optimum form, dose and duration of thiamine treatment for this indication.

SEARCH METHODS

ALOIS, the Specialized Register of the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group (CDCIG), The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and LILACS were searched on 6 September 2012 using the term thiamine OR aneurine. ALOIS contains records from all major health care databases (The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, LILACS) as well as from many trial databases and grey literature sources.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Any randomised trials comparing thiamine with alternative interventions or comparing different thiamine regimens (varying in formulation, dose or duration of administration).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

All abstracts were independently inspected by two reviewers (ED and PWB), and relevant articles were retrieved and assessed for methodological quality using criteria provided in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.

MAIN RESULTS

Two studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria, but only one contained sufficient data for quantitative analysis. Ambrose (2001) randomly assigned participants (n = 107) to one of five doses of intramuscular thiamine and measured outcomes after 2 days of treatment. We compared the lowest dose (5 mg/day) with each of the other four doses. A significant difference favoured 200 mg/day compared with the 5-mg/day dose in determining the number of trials needed to meet inclusion criteria on a delayed alternation test (mean difference (MD) -17.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) -35.4 to -0.40, P = 0.04). No significant differences emerged when the other doses were compared with 5 mg/day. The pattern of results did not reflect a simple dose-response relationship. The study had methodological shortcomings in design and in the presentation of results that limited further analysis.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Evidence from randomised controlled clinical trials is insufficient to guide clinicians in determining the dose, frequency, route or duration of thiamine treatment for prophylaxis against or treatment of WKS due to alcohol abuse.

Are brain and heart tissue prone to the development of thiamine deficiency?

Thiamine deficiency is a continuing problem leading to beriberi and Wernicke's encephalopathy. The symptoms of thiamine deficiency develop in the heart, brain and neuronal tissue. Yet, it is unclear how rapid thiamine deficiency develops and which organs are prone to development of thiamine deficiency. We investigated these issues in a thiamine deficient animal model. Twenty-four male Lewis rats were fed a thiamine deficient diet, which contained 0.04% of normal thiamine intake. Six control rats were fed 200 μg of thiamine per day. Every week a group of six rats on the thiamine-deficient diet was sacrificed and blood, urine and tissue were stored. Blood and tissue transketolase activity, thiamine and thiamine metabolites were measured and PCR of thiamine transporter-1 (ThTr-1) was performed. Transketolase activity was significantly reduced in red blood cells, liver, lung, kidney and spleen tissue after two weeks of thiamine deficient diet. In brain tissue, transketolase activity was not reduced after up to four weeks of thiamine deficient diet. The amount of thiamine pyrophosphate was also significantly conserved in brain and heart tissue (decrease of 31% and 28% respectively), compared to other tissues (decrease of ~70%) after four weeks of thiamine deficient diet. There was no difference between tissues in ThTr-1 expression after four weeks of thiamine deficient diet. Despite the fact that the heart and the brain are predilection sites for complications from thiamine deficiency, these tissues are protected against thiamine deficiency. Other organs could be suffering from thiamine deficiency without resulting in clinical signs of classic thiamine deficiency in beriberi and Wernicke's encephalopathy.

[Wernicke's encephalopathy in non-alcoholic patients: a series of 8 cases]

INTRODUCTION

Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is an underdiagnosed condition, usually associated with alcoholism, and has a worse prognosis if there is a delay in diagnosis. A series of 8 non-alcoholic patients with WE is presented and an assessment is made on whether a delay in diagnosis leads to a worse prognosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The clinical records of patients admitted to 2 university hospitals between 2004 and 2009 with the diagnosis of WE, excluding those with a history of alcoholism, were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

The study included 4 men and 4 women aged 35-82 of whom 7 had a history of gastrointestinal pathology, and persistent vomiting was the precipitating factor in 7. Encephalopathy was the most frequent onset symptom (4). The classical triad was present in seven patients. Thiamine levels were low in 3/6 and normal in 3/6 cases. MRI was abnormal in seven patients, with high signal intensity in the diencephalon and mammillary bodies (7), periaqueductal grey matter (6), cortex (3) and cerebellum (1). Seven improved with thiamine. Sequelae were mild in 6, and severe in 2 after 6-12 months of follow-up. All patients with a diagnostic delay less than 18 days had mild sequelae.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-alcoholic WE frequently occurs after gastrointestinal disturbances that could result in lower thiamine absorption. Whereas thiamine levels can be normal in many cases, in almost all cases the MRI shows signal alterations in typical locations. A delay in the diagnosis, and therefore, in treatment leads to a worse prognosis.

EFNS guidelines for diagnosis, therapy and prevention of Wernicke encephalopathy

BACKGROUND

Although Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a preventable and treatable disease it still often remains undiagnosed during life.

OBJECTIVES

To create practical guidelines for diagnosis, management and prevention of the disease.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, Cochrane Library.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

1 The clinical diagnosis of WE should take into account the different presentations of clinical signs between alcoholics and non alcoholics (Recommendation Level C); although prevalence is higher in alcoholics, WE should be suspected in all clinical conditions which could lead to thiamine deficiency (good practice point - GPP). 2 The clinical diagnosis of WE in alcoholics requires two of the following four signs; (i) dietary deficiencies (ii) eye signs, (iii) cerebellar dysfunction, and (iv) either an altered mental state or mild memory impairment (Level B). 3 Total thiamine in blood sample should be measured immediately before its administration (GPP). 4 MRI should be used to support the diagnosis of acute WE both in alcoholics and non alcoholics (Level B). 5 Thiamine is indicated for the treatment of suspected or manifest WE. It should be given, before any carbohydrate, 200 mg thrice daily, preferably intravenously (Level C). 6 The overall safety of thiamine is very good (Level B). 7 After bariatric surgery we recommend follow-up of thiamine status for at least 6 months (Level B) and parenteral thiamine supplementation (GPP). 8 Parenteral thiamine should be given to all at-risk subjects admitted to the Emergency Room (GPP). 9 Patients dying from symptoms suggesting WE should have an autopsy (GPP).

Neuroimaging of the Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

AIM

Presented is the neuroradiological signature of acute Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE), derived from different types of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences. WE results from thiamine depletion, and its most typical antecedent is chronic alcohol dependence. Brain regions observed with in vivo MRI affected in acute WE include the mammillary bodies, periaqueductal and periventricular gray matter, collicular bodies and thalamus. These affected areas are usually edematous and are best visualized and quantified with MRI sequences that highlight such tissue. Following the acute WE phase and resolution of edema and inflammation of affected brain tissue, WE, if not adequately treated with thiamine repletion, can herald Korsakoff's syndrome (KS), with its symptomatic hallmark of global amnesia, that is, the inability to commit newly encountered (episodic) information to memory for later recall or recognition.

METHODS

Neuropathology of KS detectable with MRI has a different neuroradiological signature from the acute stage and can be observed as tissue shrinkage or atrophy of selective brain structures, including the mammillary bodies and thalamus and ventricular expansion, probably indicative of atrophy of surrounding gray matter nuclei. Quantification of these and additional gray matter structures known to underlie global amnesia reveal substantial bilateral volume deficits in the hippocampus, in addition to the mammillary bodies and thalamus, and modest deficits in the medial septum/diagonal band of Broca. The infratentorium is also affected, exhibiting volume deficits in cerebellar hemispheres, anterior superior vermis and pons, contributing to ataxia of gait and stance.

RESULTS

Consideration of WKS structural brain changes in the context of the neuropathology of non-WKS alcoholism revealed a graded pattern of volume deficits, from mild in non-WKS alcoholics to moderate or severe in WKS, in the mammillary bodies, hippocampus, thalamus, cerebellum and pons. The development and resolution of brain structures affected in acute, chronic and treated WE was verified in longitudinal MRI study of rats that modeled of the interaction of extensive alcohol consumption and thiamine depletion and repletion.

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, neuroradiological examination with MRI is valuable in the diagnosis of acute WE and enables in vivo tracking of the progression of the brain pathology of WE from the acute pathological phase to resolution with thiamine treatment or to progression to KS without treatment. Further, in vivo MRI facilitates translational studies to model antecedent conditions contributing to the development, sequelae and treatment of WE.

Executive dysfunction in Korsakoff's syndrome: Time to revise the DSM criteria for alcohol-induced persisting amnestic disorder?

Objective. This study examines the profile of executive dysfunction in Korsakoff's syndrome. There is accumulating evidence of executive deficits in Korsakoff patients that may greatly affect activities of daily living. However, the DSM-IV criteria for "alcohol-induced persisting amnestic disorder" do not take this into account. In addition, existing studies have failed to determine the type of executive deficits in this syndrome. Methods. Executive functioning was assessed in 20 Korsakoff patients using the Behavioural Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome (BADS), an ecologically valid neuropsychological assessment battery consisting of various subtests that assess planning, organisation, inhibition, shifting, cognitive estimation and monitoring. Results. Sixteen patients (80%) had executive deficits, i.e. impairments on at least one BADS subtest compared to a normative control group. Overall, the profile is characterized by planning deficits on unstructured tasks. Conclusions. Next to amnesia, executive deficits are a prominent characteristic of cognitive impairment in Korsakoff patients. It is argued that the new DSM criteria should consider incorporating executive dysfunction as an important feature of alcohol-induced persistent cognitive disorder.