Wernicke encephalopathy Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

What is Wernicke’s encephalopathy?

A

Neurological symptoms as a result of biochemical lesions because of vitamins B1 deficiency

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the triad of symptoms of Wernicke’s encephalopathy?

A

Ocular disturbances, ataxia, and confusion

Small percentage all three, most likely in alcohol abuse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What can cause Wernicke’s encephalopathy?

A

Pancreatitis, liver dysfunction, coeliac disease

Vomiting

Starvation, fasting

Chemotherapy

Cancer, AIDS

Chronic inflammation, diabetes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the pathogenesis of Wernicke’s encephalopathy?

A

Three-fold injury:

  1. Oxidative damage
  2. Mitochondrial injury
  3. Stimulation of pro-apoptotic pathway

These pathways cause lesions in different parts of the brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

How would you diagnose Wernicke’s encephalopathy?

A

Two or more of the classic symptoms (within or outside of the triad)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the classic symptoms of Wernicke’s encephalopathy?

Outside the triad

A

Jerky eye movements, pupillary changes, vision loss, impaired vision

Hearing loss

Memory impairment, confusion, coordination, amnesia, hypothermia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

How do you treat Wernicke’s encephalopathy?

A

Most symptoms will improve quickly if deficiencies are treated early. Memory disorder may be permanent

500 mg of thiamine hydrochloride, delivered by infusion over a 30-minute period for two to three days
Treat underlying cause

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What sort of beriberi is Wernicke’s encephalopathy?

A

Dry

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is Beriberi?

A

Severe longterm thiamine deficiency

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What system does wet beriberi affect?

A

Cardiovascular

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What system does dry beriberi affect?

A

Nervous system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome (WKS)?

A

Combined presence of Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome

Due to the close relationship between these two disorders, people with either are usually diagnosed with WKS as a single syndrome

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are the main symptoms of Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome?

A

Vision changes, ataxia, memory impairment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is ataxia?

A

Lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements that can include gait abnormality, speech changes, and abnormalities in eye movements

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Who is most likely to suffer from Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome?

A

Alcoholics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the prognosis for Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome?

A

Failure in diagnosis of WE and thus treatment of the disease leads to death in approximately 20% of cases, while 75% are left with permanent brain damage associated with WKS

Of those affected, 25% require long-term institutionalization in order to receive effective care

17
Q

What is the role of thiamine?

A

Essential cofactor in glucose metabolism

18
Q

What brain area does thiamine deficiency mainly affect?

A

Mammillary bodies

Also the thalamus, the periaqueductal grey, the walls of the 3rd ventricle, the floor of the 4th ventricle, the cerebellum, and the frontal lobe

19
Q

Where is thiamine absorbed?

A

Duodenum, can be stored in liver for 18 days

20
Q

Vision changes, ataxia, memory impairment; what disorder are you thinking of?

A

Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome