Wernicke’s encephalopathy due to non-alcoholic gastrointestinal tract disease

Abstract

Introduction: Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is an underdiagnosed neuropsychiatric disorder especially in non-alcoholic groups that causes morbidity-mortality if diagnosis is delayed. Korsakoff syndrome is a chronic consequence of this condition characterized by persistent memory impairment. In this study we present a series of non-alcoholic patients with WE. The purpose of this study was to analyze the predisposing factors in non-alcoholic patients with WE and emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and treatment with thiamine supplementation.