Wernicke's Encephalopathy: 'plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose'

Thomson, A.D.; Cook, C.C.H.; Guerrini, I.; Sheedy, D.; Harper, C.; Marshall, E.J.

doi:10.1093/alcalc/agm149

Wernicke's Encephalopathy: 'plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose'

Thomson, A.D.; Cook, C.C.H.; Guerrini, I.; Sheedy, D.; Harper, C.; Marshall, E.J.

Authors

A.D. Thomson

Reverend Professor Christopher Cook c.c.h.cook@durham.ac.uk
PGR Student Doctor of Philosophy

I. Guerrini

D. Sheedy

C. Harper

E.J. Marshall

Abstract

Aims: To develop clinical guidelines to identify individuals who misuse alcohol and are at risk of developing Wernicke's Encephalopathy (WE). Method: Non-systematic literature review of studies which includes a careful clinical record of the development of signs and symptoms of thiamine deficiency and in which the diagnosis of WE has been confirmed at autopsy. Results: The review of the clinical findings in cases of WE, diagnosed at autopsy, shows a consistent pattern of signs and symptoms. The pattern appears to be similar regardless of whether the thiamine deficiency is related to nutritional problems alone or associated with alcohol misuse. Conclusions: The assessment of the degree of thiamine deficiency and the diagnosis of WE remain a clinical evaluation, and guidelines are suggested to help the clinician. Since neurotoxicity due to the metabolism of excessive alcohol in patients with chronic and severe alcohol dependence may be an important factor in determining long-term outcome of treatment, this must form part of the overall evaluation.

Citation

Thomson, A., Cook, C., Guerrini, I., Sheedy, D., Harper, C., & Marshall, E. (2008). Wernicke's Encephalopathy: 'plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose'. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 43(2), 180-186. https://doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agm149

Journal Article Type	Article
Publication Date	Mar 1, 2008
Deposit Date	May 16, 2011
Publicly Available Date	Aug 24, 2011
Journal	Alcohol and Alcoholism
Print ISSN	0735-0414
Electronic ISSN	1464-3502
Publisher	Oxford University Press
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	43
Issue	2
Pages	180-186
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agm149

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Copyright Statement
This is a pre-copy-editing author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in Alcohol & alcoholism following peer review. The definitive publisher-authenticated version Thomson, A. D. and Cook, C. C. H. and Guerrini, I. and Sheedy, D. and Harper, C. and Marshall, E. J. (2008) 'Wernicke's encephalopathy : 'plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose'.', Alcohol & alcoholism., 43 (2). pp. 180-186 is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agm149